Pinays second but trail by 14 in Sirikit Cup

JEJU, Korea – Team Philippines came out of a long fog delay in meaner form, pooling a three-under 141 but Korea proved fiercer, assembling a 10-under 134 to virtually wrap up another Queen Sirikit Cup crown with a whopping 14-stroke lead after two rounds of play here yesterday.

Pauline del Rosario bucked an ankle injury and harsh condition and birdied two of the last three holes for a two-under 70 while Yuka Saso improved from a 72 to a 71, overcoming a two-over card before the delay with three birdies for a 37-34.

But Princess Superal turned a bit colder after opening with a 35, missing a number of birdie chances at the back and fumbling with a bogey on the 17th. The Country Club ace didn’t count with a 72.

From fourth, the Women’s Golfers Association of the Philippines-backed squad moved past New Zealand and China to wrest second place at 288, counting their first round 147 but headed for another runner-up finish as the hosts turned in stirring rounds despite wet condition.

“They’re (Koreans) simply good but we could’ve gained some grounds had Cess (Superal) made her birdie putts at the back. Pau and Yuka also flubbed a couple of chances,” said coach Bong Lopez, looking forward to a final round duel with the fancied hosts.

Superal takes on Lee and New Zealand’s Alanna Campbell, Del Rosario slugs it out with Park and Chantelle Cassidy while Saso tangles with Choi and Munchin Keh in the last three flights in the final round today.

Superal takes on Lee Gayoung and New Zealand’s Alanna Campbell, Del Rosario slugs it out with Park Hyun-Kung and Chantelle Cassidy while Saso tangles with Choi Hye-jin and Munchin Keh in the last three flights in the final round today.

Choi sizzled in the rain and wind and blasted in a 65 (35-32) while defending individual champion Park strung up a 69 as the Koreans pulled away at 274 going to the final 18 holes of the annual event, also known as the Asia-Pacific Amateur Ladies Golf Team Championship which they have ruled eight times in the last nine years.

So awesome were the hosts that Lee’s 69, which could easily anchored another team’s bid, didn’t count, giving in to Park’s version of a 35-34 card.

The 52 players from 14 nations played in drizzle and cold condition early morning and struggled to hit their shots and stroke their putts as the wind lashed from varied directions. Fog then enveloped half of the up-and-down layout at the foot of Mount Halla as the last flight, which included Superal, headed to No. 4, forcing the organizers to halt play.