MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal failed to sustain an impressive start and hobbled with an even par 72, falling by three to Thai Budsabakorn Sukaphan after two rounds of the 100 Plus Malaysia Junior golf tournament at the Glenmarie Golf Course in Shah Alam, Selangor Malaysia late Thursday.
Just a stroke behind with a 68 Wednesday, the 16-year-old Superal struggled with her iron play with the top ICTSI-backed bet missing a couple of birdie putts from close range to reel farther back off Sukaphan, who turned in a 70 for a 137.
Superal, who dominated a pro tournament back home last month, had a 140 while Malaysia’s Loy Hee Ying wavered with a 73 to drop to 145 in the premier 16-and-under and Open divisions.
The field, featuring the leading players in the region, also serves as tune-up for next month’s SEA Games in Myanmar with the Thais and the Filipinos tipped to lead the title chase.
Mikhaela Fortuna, also of Team ICTSI, fought back with a one-under 71 after a horrendous 78 as she forged a tie with Hong Kong’s Li Kai Wing, who carded a 73, at 149 in the 14-and-under class.
Sofia Chabon hardly recovered from a 78 with a 76 as she stood five strokes off the joint leaders at 154.