THAI TAKES LEAD AS SUPERAL FALTERS
Nemittra Juntanaket salvages a 72 to take twostroke lead in ICTSI Mt. Malayarat Classic
THAI Nemittra Juntanaket recovered from an early mishap with a strong windup, birdying three of the last six holes to salvage a 72 and grab a two-stroke lead over Marvi Monsalve as Princess Superal hobbled at the finish at the start of the ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Ladies Classic at Mt. Malarayat’s composite course on Aug. 14, 2019.
Juntanaket, out to make up for her joint 18th at Pradera Verde Ladies last month, fell behind early with a triple-bogey on a lost ball on the first hole of Mt. Malipunyo but after a run of brave pars, she hit back-to-back birdies from No. 13 of Mt. Makulot then added another on the par-5 No. 16 to save a 39-33.
With Superal blowing a two-under round after 12 holes with a horrendous five-over card in the last six holes, Juntanaket surged ahead with Monsalve assuming the challenger’s role with a 74 she spiked with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17.
Defending champion Onkanok Soisuwan missed seizing solo second with bogeys in the last two, dropping to joint third at 75 with Superal and fellow Thais Numa Gulyanamitta and Alisara Wedchakama as most of the bidders, save for Juntanaket, floundered at Mt. Makulot tricky holes.
“Except on No. 1, my game is good. I actually struggled at the front but recovered and played good at the back,” said Juntanaket, who hopes to sustain her form and finally get a title shot in the P750,000 event put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
“I’ll make sure to have a good score on No. 1 tomorrow (today) and hit the fairways and greens,” added Juntanaket. /