Zhang tops Kids World; Ababa second

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ Sunshine Burberry Zhang fended off Malaysian Jeneath Wong’s final round charge to rule the girl division fore 8-year-olds in the Kids Golf World Championship at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thursday.

Zhang, born to a Filipina mother and Taiwanese father, carded a gutsy 40 over nine holes at the backside of the Garden course for a 54-hole total of 121, edging Wong, who closed out with a 38-122, by one. The Montessori-Las Piñas pupil opened with a 43 then struck with a 38 to grab the lead in the second round.

Sarah Ababa, meanwhile, rallied with a one-under 71 as the ICTSI-backed bet finished second to Myanmar’s Yin May Hyo in the rain-shortened girls’ 17-18 class at the Saujana Golf and Country Club.

Ababa, who fumbled with an 81 in wet condition in the first round, came through with two birdies against a bogey for that 71 for a 152, three strokes behind Hyo, who made 74 and 75 for a 149 to clinch the title after organizers reduced the 54-hole tournament to 36 holes due to stormy weather.

Also at the Glenmarie layout, Princess Superal also rebounded from a 76 with a two-under 70 but ran out of holes in her comeback bid.

The ICTSI team spearhead ended up third behind Benyapa Niphatsopon of Thailand and Indonesian Victoria Chandra in the 15-16 class of the 54-hole tournament.

Superal, who shared the lead in the first round, wound up with a 216 aggregate, seven shots off Niphatsopon, who also closed out with a 70 for a 209 and a four-stroke victory over Chandra, who made a 213 after a 71.

Samantha Andrea Martinez wound up fifth in the 13-14 group topped by Thai Kanyalak Preedasuttijit (74-217) with a 231 after a 78.