Golf: Korean Lee survives late scare by Superal to rule PHL Ladies Open

Korean Lee Jeong-hwa pulled off a three-over-par 75 in another tough day at the East course for a 217 finish and survived a late scare from Philippine bet Princess Superal to capture the Golden Anniversary crown of the Philippine Ladies Open held at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. Superal, the multi-titled Junior Golf champion, submitted a closing two-over-par 74 to settle for 220 and a runner-up finish. Lovelyn Guioguio, last week's Philippine Amateur Open winner, finished third with 224 after a 74. Lee looked good at the onset with a birdie on the first hole. Coupled with Superal’s bogey, the 17-year-old Busan native's lead ballooned to six. However, shades of 2009, where she lost the title to eventual winner Louise Manalo, came to fore as she limped with a triple bogey 7 on the 11th hole then a bogey on the 12th that gave Superal one last chance to catch up as Lee's lead was reduced to two with three holes to go. “I didn’t think about what happened in the past. I was more concerned with finishing strong at Wack Wack. Princess came back with a flourish in the end. I had to match her intensity,” said Lee, who is set to join the Korean LPGA in March. For Superal, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Down by four with 18 holes left, she rallied with a birdie on the 15th to close the gap but could not sustain her form in the last three holes. “I had my chance starting on the 16th. It’s just that breaks didn’t come my way,” Superal, the 14-year-old home study program student. Sunshine Baraquiel fired a 73 while Claire Amelia Legaspi had a 74 as they shared fourth place at 226 while Savitree Thavong emerged the top Thai finisher with a 227 after a 75 in a tie with former champion Jayvie Agojo, who sputtered with a 78. Thai Supamas Sangchan ended up solo eighth with a 229 while erstwhile contender Felicia Medalla cracked under pressure and slid to an 83 to drop to joint ninth with Sarah Ababa, who carded a 78 at 231. — Adrian Flores/JVP, GMA News