Superal nails Springs junior crown by three

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal marked her first overseas campaign with a victory, ruling the Spring Junior golf tournament by three on a closing three-under 69 at the Menifee Lakes Country Club’s Lakes course in Menifee City, California, USA Sunday.

Superal, 18, opened with back-to-back birdies and went on to gun down three more to negate her bogeys on Nos. 5 and 16 en route to a 139 total, including an opening 70, in the 36-hole tournament.

ICTSI teammate Pauline del Rosario actually matched Superal’s hot start at the adjacent Palms layout, hitting an eagle on No. 5 while ramming five other birdies. But she also stumbled with five bogeys and ended up with a 70, completing a 1-2 finish by the Filipina bets at 142.

California’s Kaili Vongsaga, just three strokes behind Superal at the start of the round, limped with a 76 and finished way behind at third at 149 while local bets Seika Matsushita and Josei Lionetti wound up with 152 and 153 after a 75 and 80, respectively.

It was a big bounce-back win for Superal, the reigning US Girls’ Junior champion who had a disappointing joint sixth place finish in last month’s Philippine Ladies Open at Wack Wack. It also augured well for the team’s campaign in the US and in Asia in the coming months.