Superal pulls away with 72

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal came through with a gutsy even par 72 and posted a whopping seven-stroke lead over erstwhile leader Sarah Ababa in the second round of the Melaka Amateur Open Golf Championship in Melaka, Malaysia late Saturday.

Superal, who skied to an opening 79 in tough condition, pieced together nines of 35-37 at the hazard-laden Ayer Keroh Golf Club layout with the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet highlighting her round with three birdies, including a bending six-footer on the final hole.

She pooled a 151 and pulled away from Ababa, who failed to get going after  a 78 as she fumbled with a slew of bogeys at the frontside, winding up with an 80 and dropping to 158.

Malaysian Ong Shi Qing also hobbled with an 80 but moved up to third at 161 as Lovelynn Guioguio, who also shot 79 in the first round, withdrew due to bum stomach.

Superal, chasing a follow-up to her Malaysian Juniors Open romp last month, rebounded from a bogey on the fourth with back-to-back birdies from No. 5. She dropped another stroke on the 10th and made another bogey on the 16th but closed out with another birdie to storm way ahead of the pack.