Superal fires 69 but trails leader by 5 in Thai LPGA

MANILA, Philippines - Princess Superal rebounded with a three-under 69 but fell five strokes behind Thai ace Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro after two rounds of play in the sixth Thai LPGA Championship at the Sea Pines Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand late Thursday.

Superal, who needed to birdie No. 18 to salvage a 74 in the first round, hit back-to-back birdies to open her second round campaign but missed a couple of birdie putts from close range in the seven holes and settled for a two-birdie, one-bogey stint at the back for that 34-35 card.

But from three down at the start of the day, the ace spearhead of Team ICTSI dropped farther back with a 143 as Sangkagaro sizzled with an eagle-spiked 66 for a 138 to wrest a one-stroke lead over compatriot Supamas Sangchan.

The Philippine Ladies Open champion Sangchan, who shared the first round lead with two others at 71, threatened to pull away with a solid 32 at the front highlighted by three straight birdies from No. 4 but slowed down with pars at the back for a 68 and a 139.

That enabled Sangkagaro to take control behind a fiery backside 30 spiked by four birdies in the first six holes and an eagle on the par-5 No. 16.

Pro Jayvie Agojo never recovered from an opening 77 and limped with a second straight five-over par card for a 154 while Pauline del Rosario fumbled with a 76 for a 156.

“Princess made an early charge but missed two birdie putts inside five feet that stalled her charge,” said Team ICTSI coach Bong Lopez. “But there’s still one round to go and we expect her to go all-out to contend for the crown.”

The reigning SEA Games gold medalist and silver medal winner in last year’s Asian Youth Games is seeking to add the title to her earlier romps in Kuala Lumpur and Royal Selangor Open in Malaysia.