Superal loses Malaysian Jr crown by one shot

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal made one big charge in the final round but flubbed a playoff-clinching birdie putt from 10 feet on the final hole for a 68, enabling Thai Budsabakorn Sukaphan to escape with the victory with a 70 in the 100 Plus Malaysia Junior golf tournament at the Glenmarie Golf Course in Shah Alam, Selangor Malaysia late Friday.

Superal fought back from three strokes down with four birdies on Nos. 1, 5, 6 and 13 to force a tie but missed a crucial putt on the 18th from a difficult position then watched her rival bang in a five-footer for the victory.

Sukaphan, 16, wound up with a second straight two-under 70 to finish with a 207 in the 54-hole tournament which the top ICTSI-backed bet dominated last year. Superal, who opened with a 68 Wednesday but reeled back with a 72 in the second round, ended up with a 208 after another four-under card.

Local bet Loy Hee Ying wound up way off at third with a 218 after a 73 in the centerpiece 16-and-under category.

Sukaphan also ran away with the overall championship with Superal finishing second to the Thai ace for the second straight time after also falling short in last month’s Thailand Amateur Open.

Sofia Chabon also settled for runner-up honors in the 14-and-under division, scoring a 73 for a 227 in a tie with ICTSI teammate Mikhaela Fortuna, who had a 78, six shots off Hong Kong’s Li Kai Wing, who had a 221 after a 72.