Princess Superal survived a frontside meltdown and bucked a late charge by New Jersey’s Karen Chung, winning the low amateur crown despite a closing three-over 75 in the Cactus Tour at Dinah Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California over the weekend.
Superal, who shot 73 and 72 to grab the lead after 36 holes, threatened to pull away with a solid 36 at the backside but nearly blew a five-stroke lead with a faltering finish. She double bogeyed No. 1 and fumbled with three bogeys against two birdies on Nos. 2 and 8 to finish with a 39 and a 75.
With a 220, the top The Country Club pulled off a one-shot win as Chung, who fell by as many as five with a 40 at the back, flubbed a couple of pressure-packed birdie putts in the closing holes and also settled for a three-over card for a 221.
Local bet Danielle Lee ran out of holes, her closing 34 only netted her a 72 and a 222 for third.
The victory was second straight for Superal who is set to join the pro ranks late in the season. She earlier beat Naomi Ko of Victoria BC to capture the Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur Championship crown via a 6&5 rout in Cle Elum, Washington last weekend.
Superal shared honors with Ohio’s Lindsay Weaver, who closed out with a 69 for a 212 and beat Jennifer Bermingham of Long Beach, who had a 216 after a 73, by four to cop the pro crown in the event which drew 80 players.