Fortuna finishes strong, tops Malaysian Jr Open
Mikhaela Fortuna holds her trophy after completing her come-from-behind win in the Malaysian Junior Open Championship.
MANILA, Philippines — Mikhaela Fortuna came away with back-to-back four-under 68s and edged Malaysian ace Winnie Ng by one to snare the 12th 100Plus Malaysian Junior Open Championship crown at the Grenmarie Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last weekend.
Fortuna recovered strong from a mediocre even par 72 in the first round with those 68s to finish with a 208, foiling Ng, who dominated the opener with a 68 but slowed down with 71 and 70 for 209.
Three Malaysians took the next spots with Natasha Oon carding a 75 to share third place with Liyana Durisic, who had a 77, at 218 and Ashley Lau winding up fifth at 219 after a 69.
Sofia Chabon and Bernice Ilas-Olivarez, Fortuna’s teammates in The Country Club stable, wound up 10th and 13th at 226 and 229 after a 75 and 78, respectively.
“I just hung in there and tried not to be intimidated by Ng’s rally. I’m so happy to have pulled it off,” said Fortuna, 17, who is heading to the Oklahoma University next year on a full scholarship.
The win also snapped a long title spell for one of TCC coach Bong Lopez’s wards, who has qualified for the US Girls’ Championship the last three years but last tasted victory in the FCG Challenge Cup in 2016.
Fortuna still trailed Ng by one heading to the final round of the 54-hole event serving as the host country’s premier junior tournament that featured some of the region’s leading players in the ranks.
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