HONG KONG - Princess Superal outsteadied Tiffany Chan in a tense-filled backside duel to fashion out a four-stroke victory, thanks to a closing six-under 66 in the Hong Kong Ladies Amateur Open at the HK Golf Club's New Course in Fanling on Friday.
Superal leaned on a crucial two-shot swing on No. 15 to go four-up on Chan then took the crown in emphatic fashion with a birdie-birdie windup for her best round in the 54-hole world ranking event, beating a rallying Mimi Ho, who fired a 67, by four on a 205 aggregate.
"It was a tough win. I just hung in there and made some clutch putts," said Superal, who birdied three of the last four holes at the front to go from one down to two-up en route to her fifth straight victory counting her two wins in Malaysia and one each in Singapore and Jakarta the last two months.
With Chan, No. 16 in the current world amateur ranking, fading in the face of Superal's superb finish, Ho came from behind to snatch runner-up honors at 209 with the former ending up third at 211 despite an eagle-spiked 72.
Michelle Cheung, also of Hong Kong, also shot a 67 to tie compatriot Isabelle Leung, who carded a 73, at 214 while Superal's teammate and reigning Thailand Amateur champion Pauline del Rosario turned in a 72 for sixth at 218.
Sam Martirez wound up at joint 11th at 229 after a 75.
"She's in control of her game and has been working hard on her putting to reach her current form," said The Country Club coach Bong Lopez of her prized ward, way down at No. 174 in the world.
"It's nice to win again and it's a big morale boost heading to the Philippine Ladies Open later this month," said Superal, referring to the country's premier championship slated on January 22-25 at Tagaytay Midlands.