This handout photo taken and released on August 20, 2022 by the Simone Asia Pacific Cup shows the Philippines’ Princess Mary Superal celebrating after winning the inaugural Simone Asia Pacific Cup golf event at Pondok Indah Golf Course in Jakarta. (Photo by Handout / Simone Asia Pacific Cup / AFP)
Princess Superal has been working long and hard for an international pro breakthrough. She certainly picked the right stage to get it done.
With three major champions giving chase, Superal on Saturday opened with a flurry of three straight birdies from No. 2 to close out with a five-under-par 67 and win the inaugural Asia Pacific Cup by three shots over South Korea’s So Yeon Ryu at Pondok Indah course in Jakarta, Indonesia.
It wasn’t only Ryu whom she kept at bay, as world No. 4 Lydia Ko of New Zealand also couldn’t keep up, like Hyo Joo-kim, another Korean who is ranked No. 8 in the world.
“This (win) is a big morale- and confidence-booster, knowing that I can win in international events,” said Superal, who needed just 27 putts in the final round and bankrolled the $100,000 (about P5.5 million) top prize. “I just stayed focused and tried to learn from Lydia’s (Ko) game.”
“I never doubted she would win,” said Bong Lopez, Superal’s coach. “Her ball-striking and putting were in A-1 condition, so I just prayed that she be given strength and big fighting heart to withstand the pressure.”
It was the first big win in a six-year pro career for the ICTSI-backed Superal, whose main career target is to be a regular on the LPGA Tour.
Ko, whose victories in the 2015 Evian and the 2016 Chevron Championships and 15 other wins highlight a prolific LPGA career, missed sharing runner-up honors with a missed birdie putt from five feet on the 18th as she ended up third at 208 after a 70.
The Filipino did a good job keeping composed all throughout the final round, finally broke down as she hugged long-time pal and teammate Pauline del Rosario after holing out with a par on the 54th hole.
Superal will head back to Thailand to play at least three tournaments. She also has plans to participate in the Japan LPGA Qualifying series in November.