Ardina ties for 14th in Epson Tour; Ryu scores major breakthrough
MANILA, Philippines — Dottie Ardina fell short of sustaining a scorching start, settling for a share of 14th place after a 70 in the final round of the Island Resort Championship, won by American Kaleiya Romero via playoff at the Sweetgrass Golf Club in Harris, Michigan on Sunday (Monday Manila time).
Ardina, backed by ICTSI, quickly signaled her intent for a second Epson Tour crown by birdying the first and fourth holes but her momentum slowed after missing a few scoring opportunities. She battled through a mixed back nine, trading a birdie for a bogey to finish the round with a 34-36 card and a 54-hole total of 11-under 205.
Meanwhile, the battle for the championship came down to a thrilling finish. Romero birdied the par-5 No. 18 to match China’s Liqi Zeng’s closing 68 and force a sudden-death playoff at 16-under 200.
Returning to the 18th for the playoff, Romero sealed the $33,750 winner's check in spectacular fashion by draining an eagle.
Bianca Pagdanganan, on the other hand, mounted a strong Sunday charge, bouncing back from an early bogey on the fifth hole with five birdies to fire a 68, her late surge securing a tie for 24th at 207.
Meanwhile, Clariss Guce closed with an even-par 72 to finish in a tie for 53rd at 211.
Over on the LPGA Tour, Haeran Ryu overcame immense adversity to secure her first major breakthrough, carding a gritty 2-under 70 to win the Women’s PGA Championship by two strokes at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, also on Sunday.
Ryu’s victory capped a remarkable comeback story. The 25-year-old underwent back surgery just over a month ago and had not played competitive golf since. After opening the tournament trailing by 10 strokes following the first 18 holes, she steadily clawed her way back into contention of the record $13 million championship.
In the final round, Ryu shook off a rocky start that included three bogeys and just one birdie through the first five holes. She ignited a brilliant turnaround with a four-birdie blitz across a six-hole stretch starting on No. 7, finishing at 13-under 275 to lift the prestigious trophy.
Ina Yoon closely chased Ryu but ultimately finished second at 277. Yoon, a Solaire ambassador, birdied her opening two holes to regain the lead but faltered with a double-bogey on the third and a bogey on the fifth. Despite a valiant fightback featuring three birdies down the stretch, her closing 70 fell two strokes short of forcing a playoff.
Dewi Weber and Brooke Henderson finished tied for third place at 278 after 70 and 72, respectively.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who swept the season's first two majors at the Chevron Championship and the US Women’s Open, was unable to summon her usual final-round magic. She stumbled to a 73, finishing in a tie for eighth at 282 alongside World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, who charged back with a 70.
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