Laurel, Batangas—Korean Hwang Min-jeong lived up to the promise, winning her pro debut by edging reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion Princess Superal no less for the ICTSI Splendido Ladies Classic crown on a closing 70 here today.
Hwang, who showed her potentials way back in 2015 when she topped a pro tournament at Mt. Malarayat as a 14-year-old amateur, leaned on a two-shot swing against Superal on No. 12 to hike her lead to four then kept her poise in the face of the latter’s make-or-break charge in the stretch to pocket the title by the slimmest of margins.
Superal, who closed to within one after 36 holes with a 68 Wednesday, also pounced on a birdie-bogey swipe on No. 14 and threatened to within one with another birdie on the 15th. But she failed to cap her rally with muffed birdie putts in the last three holes, also ending up with a two-under card that enabled Hwang to preserve the lead and take the victory at six-under 210 worth P150,000.
“I was nervous every time Princess putts because I know she’d make it anytime,” said Hwang. “In contrast, I struggled with my putting but I’m glad my father was there to help me read my lines of putt.”
It was a sorry setback for Superal, who had looked forward to an explosive windup after shooting back-to-back birdies from No. 14 that pulled her within a shot. She finished with 211 and received P95,000.
Hwang, who also posted a record 16-stroke romp to win the Philippine Amateur Open crown last year, also became the second Korean to win in the first four legs of the 2018-19 LPGT put up by ICTSI after amateur Lee Ji Hyeon reigned at Camp John Hay in Baguio last October.
Chonlada Chayanun, tied with Hwang at the start of the final round, crumbled under pressure, reeling back with an opening 38 and limping home with a 73 to wind up third at 213 worth P60,000.
Despite going four strokes down with six holes to go, Superal knew she still had a chance. She birdied No. 14 against Hwang’s bogey and applied more pressure on the Korean by hitting another birdie on the par-4 15th.
But Hwang steeled herself up in the pressure-packed stage, matching Superal’s par-game and nailing the victory that augured well for the lanky, 17-year-old shotmaker from Incheon’s young pro career.
Another Thai, Wad Phaewchimplee shot a tournament-best 67 to snatch fourth place at 214 while Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro also charged back with a 68 for fifth at 216 while Mookharin Ladgratok carded a 70 for joint sixth with local bet Marvi Monsalve, who matched par 72, at 219.
Ornnicha Konsunthea also shot a 70 for eighth at 220 followed by compatriot Punpaka Phumtumabamrung, who pooled a 221 after a 75, while Lee shot a 73 to tie fellow Korea Choeun Bang, who turned in a 74, and Thai Narisara Kerdrit, who skied to a 76, at 223 in the tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Empire Golf and Sports and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc.
