Superal, Del Rosario in US 4-ball semis

Princess Superal and Pauline del Rosario pulled off two victories in one day, including a thrilling, 1-up triumph over Madelein Herr and Brynn Walker of Pennsylvania to crash into the semifinal round US Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship Match Play at the Streamsong Resort in Florida Tuesday.

The two Filipinos blew a 2-up lead after 10 holes then fought back from one-hole down after 15 by birdying two of the last three holes to stay in the hunt for the crown, one of 13 national championships conducted by the US Golf Association.

Del Rosario, 17, birdied the par-3 16th as the Filipinas, who held 2-up lead through 10 holes but lost three holes in a five-hole stretch from No. 11 to trail for the first time in three matches.

After both teams parred the 17th, the 19-year-old Superal hit a superb iron shot to within nine feet on the 18th then dropped the putt to gain a seat in the semifinals.

“I just told myself to make that putt,” said Superal, the former US Girls’ Junior champion.

Del Rosario, an incoming freshman at University of Kansas, helped anchor the crucial win by birdying No. 16, the most difficult hole of the championship with a 3.6 stroke average.

“I also birdied No. 16 yesterday, so it’s been pretty good to me throughout the week,” said Del Rosario, also the reigning Thailand Ladies Amateur Open champion.

In the round of 16 match earlier in the day, Superal and Del Rosario dominated Hana Ku and Jordan Lippetz, going 2-up after 11 holes and taking No. 15 before settling for a 2&1 victory with a routine par on the 17th after their rivals birdied No. 16.

The two other Philippine bets, Sofia Chabon and Mikha Fortuna, lost 3&2 to No. 31 Nicole Whiston and Waverly Whiston in the round of 16.