LEE Jeong Hwa regained her putting just in time yesterday as she sank crucial par putts on the back nine to beat Princess Superal and win the Philippine Ladies Open crown despite a horrendous three-over 75 output in the final round at the Wack Wack’s East Course.
Lee looked headed for an easy win after making the turn with a 35, hiking her overnight four-shot lead to as many as five over a charging Lovelynn Guioguio, who, however, reeled back with a 7 at the par-4 11th. But the 17-year-old Korean also made a triple-bogey on No. 11 and dropped another stroke on the next, enabling Superal to close within two with a birdie on No. 15.
However, the Busan native hung tough and matched Superal’s pars on Nos. 16 and 17 inside five feet then knocked down another par from three feet on the final hole which Superal bogeyed to complete a three-stroke romp at 217.
The win erased the stigma of Lee’s failed title bid in the 2009 edition of the event at Southwoods and augured well for her pro debut in March.
Superal, 14, settled for a 74 and a 220 for her best finish in a tournament of this magnitude.
Guioguio, winner of last week’s Philippine Amateur title, also made a 7 on the final hole but still wound up third with a 224 in the 54-hole championship.
“I had that feeling that I could win after the 15th hole, said Superal, the newest member of the ICTSI golf team. “I gave it my best but I just fell short in the end.” Correspondent Jonas Panerio