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Sana finishes runner-up in San Diego Junior Golf

Sana found herself ahead on day 3 by the 6th hole after hitting 3 birdies whilr the overnight leader nervously bogied her first 5 holes.

Sana with Pauline Del and Benyapa. — Supplied photo

Abu Dhabi’s Sana Tufail made a fine start to her summer campaign this week in America at the FCG San Diego Junior Golf International Championship (formerly known as the San Diego Junior Masters) with a runner-up position.

In a strong world class field attracting more than 300 of the most talented young players from all over the globe, Sana followed her day 1 score of 73 with a level par 72 on day 2 and a fighting two under 70 on the final day on the challenging 6100 yd Oak Glen Mountain Course at the famous Sycuan Golf Resort to close the 6-stroke lead set by the 2013 Callaway Junior World Champion Pauline Del Rosario who hit 71 and 68 over the first 2 days.

Sana found herself ahead on day 3 by the 6^th hole after hitting 3 birdies whilr the overnight leader nervously bogied her first 5 holes. However, Pauline soon steadied herself on the back 9 with a succession of birdies on the closing holes to come back into contention with a 73. Sana had to settle for a runner-up position three shots back with a card count back against another USA-based former Junior Callaway World Champion Benyapa Niphatsophon who took third place on the podium and also happens to be the Thailand’s leading amateur and ranked in the world’s top 50.

Sana said: “It was a great experience to play in such a strong world class international field, watched and encouraged by the large following crowds which was a really wonderful experience. It was great to see international junior golf promoted so positively, with sponsors such as Callaway and Oakley”.