Superal 3 off Czech bet after a 73

PRINCESS Superal struggled to a three-over-par 73 and fell three strokes behind Simon Zach of the Czech Republic halfway through the 18th Faldo Series Grand Final at Greenbrier’s Old White TPC in West Virginia on Thursday.

Superal, the reigning US Girls Junior champion who shared the overnight lead with a 69, opened with two bogeys on the first three holes and never got it going.

She picked up a shot on No. 7 but gave it right back on the next hole before tripping on her fourth bogey on No. 15.

With a 142 total, she lay three shots off Zach who matched par for 139, and two behind Zachary Bouchou of the United States who carded a 71 in the all-comers race for the coveted Faldo Series Champion’s Trophy.

“The course condition got tougher, especially the greens and Cess failed to adjust well,” said Team ICTSI coach Bong Lopez.

Despite slipping in the overall race, Superal gained a two-shot lead in the girls’ Under-21 play with Megan Khang of the US rising to second at 144 after a 68. Czech Marie Lunachkova lay third at 72-146.

Pauline del Rosario, Superal’s teammate at the ICTSI stable, all but wrapped up the girls’ U-16 crown with a 145 after a 74. She built a 10-shot lead over Scotland’s Shannon McWilliam, who skied to an 81. Lucy Walton of England lay at 158 after an 81.