Ababa tops Future Collegians World Tour

MANILA, Philippines - Sarah Ababa carded an even par 72 for the second straight day and annexed her first victory on Future Collegians World Tour, ruling the Univ. of New Mexico Challenge with a two-stroke victory over American Kendall Prince in Albuquerque, New Mexico Sunday.

Ababa made three birdies to negate her three-bogey mishap in a windy day at the UNM Golf Club, finishing with a 36-36 that proved enough to thwart Prince and fellow ICTSI scholar and erstwhile co-leader Louise Manalo for the crown in the girls’ 13-18 division.

She wound up with a 144 and claimed her second international win after topping the Penang Amateur in Malaysia last year. The victory also came on the heels of her runner-up finish to ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda at Mission Hills North two weeks ago.

It should also boost the 14-year-old Ababa’s confidence as the Davao find resumes her campaign in the US in the next few weeks.

Prince, tied with Ababa and Manalo in the first round, fumbled with three bogeys against a birdie and limped home with a 74, settling for runner-up honors with a 146.

Manalo slid to third with a 148 after a 76.