Superal stays in hunt in LPGA Q-School Stage I

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal fumbled with two bogeys in the last seven holes and settled for a 72 at the Dinah Shore Course to stay at joint 20th after two rounds of the LPGA and Symetra Tour Qualifying School-Stage I at Rancho Mirage, California Friday.

Superal, the bemedaled amateur hotshot who launched her pro bid with an impressive two-under 70 at Gary Player Course Thursday, looked headed to matching his opening round feat, bouncing back from a bogey mishap on No. 6 with three birdies in the next four holes. But missing a birdie chance from six feet at the par-5 11, the top The Country Club bet stumbled with a bogey on the next and dropped another stroke on No. 15 for a 35-37 card.

Still, her 142 aggregate put the 19-year-old former US Girls’ Junior champion in joint 20th in a field of 340 aspirants, eight strokes behind American Sarah Schmelzel, who strung a pair of 67s for a 134 to lead compatriot Savannah Vilaubi and Brazilian Daniela Darquea, who both carded 70s for 137s.

“She could’ve gone lower than 70 if not for her missed birdie chances and those two late bogeys. But she’s okay and feeling good, confident of hurdling the first stage,” said Team TCC coach Bong Lopez, who acts as Superal’s caddie in the latter’s quest for a spot in the world’s lucrative ladies tour after a remarkable amateur career.

The top 120 players after three rounds will advance to the final round to vie for 90 spots for Stage II set Oct. 20-23 at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida.

Filipina Symetra Tour campaigners Dottie Ardina and Mia Piccio and two-time Symetra Tour winner Clariss Guce will resume their LPGA bid in Stage 2 while Cyna Rodriguez, after failing to make the Top 80 in the LPGA Money List, will vie again in Stage III slated Nov. 30-Dec. 4 at the LPGA international in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Superal, the reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion and Hong Kong Ladies Amateur Open titlist, has been groomed as the next best Filipina player to see action in the LPGA Tour with her talent, skills and experience.

Regina De Guzman put herself in contention with back-to-back 72s for 144 for a share of 46th.