Princess Mary Superal, of the Philippines, survived a late comeback from Mexico’s Marijosse Navarro and captured a hard-fought 37-hole victory at the 2014 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship on Saturday, July 27th at Forest Highlands Golf Club’s Meadow Course.

Forest Highlands hosted another successful USGA championship. Most significantly, Forest Highlands is one of only 11 golf clubs in the United States to host three or more USGA championships in the past 20 years, which include the 1996 U.S. Junior Amateur, the 2006 U.S. Mid-Amateur and the 2014 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championships.

Despite leading for the majority of the match, Superal went to the par-5 36th hole trailing by one. Needing to force extra holes with a birdie, Superal converted a 10-foot uphill putt and when Navarro missed from 8 feet, the match went to extra holes.

Navarro’s tee shot on the first playoff hole – the par-5 14th – found the water, and Superal parred the hole to take the title.

“I really didn’t expect it,” said Superal, who becomes the first player born in the Philippines to win a USGA championship. “I feel very, very proud.”

The battle of 17-year-olds was just the second time since the championship final was extended to 36 holes in 2006 that extra holes were required to decide the title. Jenny Shin needed 37 holes to beat Vicky Hurst eight years ago.

That extra hole immediately spelled the end for Navarro. She hooked her tee shot at the 14th hole into the pond that runs to the left of the fairway. Forced to take a drop, Navarro reached the green in four, while Superal was on in three. Superal missed her birdie putt, but when Navarro pushed her par attempt long, she conceded the hole and the match to Superal.

The match showcased two talented young golfers. Superal played to the equivalent of 8 under par, with the usual match-play concessions, and did not card her first bogey until the 35th hole. Navarro was 7 under.

Navarro and Superal both receive exemptions into the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, to be conducted Aug. 4-10 at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y. Both players had already qualified for the championship. Superal will also receive an exemption into the 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur, to be held at Portland (OR.) Country Club.

The U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

Result from Saturday’s championship round of match play at the 2014 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, conducted on the Meadow Course at the 6,718-yard, par-72 Forest Highlands Golf Club in Flagstaff, AZ.

Princess Mary Superal, Philippines (142) def. Marijosse Navarro, Mexico (136), 37 holes.