Del Rosario subdues Superal in thriller

MANILA, Philippines — Pauline del Rosario pulled through in a nerve-wracking backside duel that changed favor as often as they switched club selection in rainy condition, coming through with a late par-save and pouncing on Princess Superal’s mishap to snatch a one-stroke victory in the ICTSI Riviera Championship at the Langer course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Tied for the last time heading to the overlooking par-3 17th, both players cracked under pressure and missed the green but Del Rosario made a brilliant chip and tapped in for par that shoved her to the lead as Superal failed to get up-and-down from the left rough and needed two putts to hole out.

Not even the difficult finishing hole could stymie Del Rosario’s drive for the hotly disputed crown as she closed out with a routine par for a 72 and Superal rescued hers from the bunker for a 73, capping a thrilling finish that served as a fitting ending to a two-tournament Ladies Philippine Golf Tour bubble put up by ICTSI in pandemic-hit season.

“I didn’t think about the scores the whole round. I really just focused on playing my own game, given the strong rain which affected my club selections,” said Del Rosario, who assembled a 215 total and pocketed the top P72,000 purse.

Superal wound up with a 216 worth P52,000.