Superal 3 adrift in Thai LPGA

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal birdied No. 18 to salvage a two-over 74 and trail three Thai bets by three at the start of the sixth Thai LPGA Championship at the Sea Pines Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand late Wednesday.

Superal, seeking to add the crown to her victories at Kuala Lumpur and Royal Selangor Amateur Open this year, struggled with her iron play on the tight par-72 layout with unpredictable putting surface, needing to sink a birdie from sixth feet on the final hole to stay within striking distance of the hot-starting Thais.

Jidapha Phongthanachalitkun, Sukapan Budsabakorn and reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion Supamas Sangchan all shot one-under 71s to show the way in the 54-hole tournament serving as the sixth leg of the Thai LPGA circuit.

Dottie Ardina topped the third leg last February while Cyna Rodriguez finished second in the last leg.

“It is a tough course and I have to be careful where to place my shots. Otherwise, I would end up making a bogey or worse,” said Superal, spearhead of Team ICTSI handled by coach Bong Lopez.

Pro Jayvie Agojo also groped for form and hobbled with a 77 while Junior World champion (13-14) Pauline del Rosario skied to an 80 and Sam Martirez, the other ICTSI-backed bet, turned in an 82.

Phongthanachalitkun charged home with four straight birdies to catch Budsabakorn and Sangchan at the helm of the 500,000 (Baht) LPGA tournament.

Agojo hit a birdie on the third but made four bogeys at the front. She dropped shots on Nos. 12 and 14 but parred the rest of the holes for a 39-8 card.