Superal rallies with 71, cops San Diego title

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal primed up for next week’s Junior World by winning the San Diego Junior Masters, carding a one-under 71 to edge Laura Hoskin of New Zealand by one at the Sycuan Golf and Country Club in San Diego Wednesday.

Two shots behind joint leaders Natalia Forero of Colombia and China’s Meiqi Gao, Superal recalled her fiery form to turn in the only other under-par round in tough condition as Forero and Gao wilted under pressure and bowed out of contention with over par rounds.

The top ICTSI-backed bet shot four birdies against three bogeys for a 35-36 round, clinching the girls’ 15-18 crown with a 215 total. She hit a clutch birdie from seven feet on No. 17 that put her two shots ahead of the rallying Hoskin.

The Kiwi, four off the pace at the start of the final round, fired the day’s best of two-under 70, capped by a birdie on the 18th. But she ran out of holes and settled for second at 216.

“I just did what coach Bong (Lopez) told me, to stay focused and try to make the putts as much as possible. I’m just glad I did,” said Superal, who birdied Nos. 2 and 7 inside five feet to seize control.

Forero double-bogeyed No. 2 and made three straight bogeys from No. 5 against a lone birdie on the 10th as she hobbled with a 76 and ended up third at 218.

Worse was Gao, who fumbled with five bogeys and a double bogey with no birdie to show in a closing 79. She fell to joint seven with four others at 221.

Superal’s victory augured well for the reigning Singapore Amateur Open champion’s stint in next week’s Junior World and kept Team ICTSI’s winning run following Cyna Rodriguez’s back-to-back victories in Long Beach and Sacramento the last three weeks.

Superal and Rodriguez have also clinched berths in the US Women’s Amateur while teammate Pauline del Rosario topped a US Girls Qualifier leg to earn a ticket in the US Girls Juniors Championship.

Rupert Zaragosa charged back with a four-under 68 to finish third in the boys’ 15-18 group with a 212, seven shots behind American Gregory Gildea, who had a 205 after a 69 for a five-stroke romp over Thai Danthai Boonma, who fired a 67 for a 210.