Superal clings to 1-shot lead with 73

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal stumbled to her first over-par 73 card in three days and barely hung on to a one-stroke lead over Thailand’s Budsapakorn Sukapan and Supamas Sangchan in the third round of the Singha Thailand Amateur Open at the Panya Indra Golf Club in Bangkok late Thursday.

Superal failed to sustain a big windup in the second round that shoved her on top of the field, fumbling with two bogeys in the first six holes and dropping another stroke on the 15th that negated her birdies on Nos. 7 and 12.

The top ICTSI-backed bet, however, closed out with three gutsy pars to save a 73 for a 215 aggregate as she fended off Sukapan, who rallied from way down to second with the tournament-best three under 69.

Sukapan closed in at 216 as she forged at three-way tie for second with Sangchan and Japanese Eri Okayama, who turned in a pair of 71s, ensuring a down-to-the-wire finish in the 72-hole tournament which featured the region’s leading junior players.

Pauline del Rosario matched par 72 after two 76s for a 224 while Abby Arevalo hobbled with a 75 for a 232.

“I actually struggled with my iron game but made some clutch putts in the closing holes,” said Superal, bracing for a tough final round duel with the Thai bets and Okayama.

Superal, who opened with a 72 and shot a 70 in the second round to seize a two-stroke lead over Parinda Phokan, also of Thailand, flubbed par-saving putts inside five feet on Nos. 3 and 6 but rolled in birdies from six feet on Nos. 7 and 12.

She appeared headed for another solid finish the way she did Wednesday but missed the 15th green and failed to return another five-footer for that 73.