AMATEUR Regina de Guzman turned in a second straight two-under 70 and stayed within striking distance of new leader Prima Thammaraks in the second round of the NWGA (National Women’s Golf Association) at LPGA International-Jones in Daytona Beach, Florida Wednesday.
De Guzman fought back from a bogey mishap on No. 3 with three birdies in a nine-hole stretch from No. 5, keeping the Filipina shotmaker in the hunt for the crown in the 54-hole tournament serving as the second-to-last tuneup for those vying in the LPGA Q-School Final Stage two weeks from now, also in Florida.
But while De Guzman sustained her form and remained at joint fourth at 140, three off Thammaraks, former US Girls’ Junior Princess Superal dropped to a share of 12th with an even par 72.
Superal actually survived a roller-coaster round of two bogeys, a double bogey and four birdies, the last two at Nos. 14 and 18 gave her a closing 35 for a 142 aggregate heading to the final 18 holes.
Thammaraks rode on a four-birdie string from No. 4 and went on to fire a 68 for a 137 and a two-stroke lead over Britanny Benvenuto and Jennifer Kirby, who pooled 139s after a 68 and 70, respectively.
Meanwhile, the last LPGA Q-School Final Stage will be held Nov. 20-22 at LPGA International-Hills with Superal bidding to become the next Filipina to earn a card at the world’s most lucrative women’s circuit.
The ICTSI, F Siblings and PB-Farms-backed Superal will be joined in the Final Stage by compatriots Dottie Ardina, Cyna Rodriguez and Mia Piccio along with Fil-Am Clariss Guce, a two-time winner on the Symetra Tour.
