Hot-putting Superal wrests control with 64

CARMONA, Cavite, Philippines — Long in a bout with her long game, Princess Superal went to her putting to produce a personal-best round at Manila Southwoods’ Legends course – a bogey-free eight-under 64 that put her three strokes ahead of three Thais at the start of the ICTSI Southwoods Ladies Championship here yesterday.

“My driving has been off since Beverly Place (January). But I’m so happy with my putting today (yesterday). I read it quite well on the greens,” said Superal, who missed two fairways, hit all but two greens and finished with the day’s best 26 putts coming off a fourth place finish in last week’s The Country Club Ladies Invitational.

The reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion banged in eight birdies inside six feet, including six in a brilliant backside stint for a 34-30 card and a big cushion over Chakansim Khamborn, Punpaka Phuntumabamrung and fancied Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, who shot identical 67s in hot but near-ideal conditions.

Amateur Sofia Chabon missed catching the Thais at second with a bogey on her finishing hole at No. 9, which she overshot on a wrong club selection, settling for a 68 in a tie with Thanutra Boonraksasat and Chonlada Chayanun, also of Thailand.

“I picked a wrong club on No. 9 but I played good, staying on the fairways and greens. Then I took my chance on No. 14 and started it going,” said the 18-year-old Chabon, spearhead of The Country Club team, who made 28 putts while hitting 11 fairways and 13 greens.