Ababa pulls off 12-shot victory in Penang Am

Teener Sarah Ababa enhanced a promising golf career when she ruled the 44th Penang Amateur Open Sunday, beating Malaysia’s No. 1 Ainil Abubakar by a whopping 12-stroke victory for her first international title at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resort in Malaysia.

Ababa, the 14-year-old daughter of local pro Edgar, flashed brilliant form in stringing a pair of four-under 68 and two-under 70 to dominate the 36-hole championship that also included reigning back-to-back RP national champion Anya Tanpinco and former RP Ladies Open winner Carmelette Villaroman.

Her 138 aggregate was 12 shots ahead of Abubakar, the 2007 SEA Games bronze medalist and Leadbetter Academy graduate, who kept Ababa within striking distance with a 73 in the first round but lost her bid with a 77 for a 150.

Michelle Ting, also one of Malaysia’s top amateurs, rallied with a 73 to gain a share of third with Tanpinco, who carded a 74 for a 153. Villaroman made a 75 and wound up fifth with a 156.

It was indeed an inspiring win Ababa, who was recruited by national coach Bong Lopez in 2006 to join the ICTSI golf program. Starting from scratch, Ababa worked her way up to play competitive golf, seeing action in the Junior World (Class B) in San Diego the last two years and winning the Samsung leg at Eagle Ridge recently.