Ardina finishes strong, ties for 12th in Guardian Championship
MANILA, Philippines — Dottie Ardina closed the suspended final round in style, birdieing three of her last seven holes to card a 68 and tie for 12th in the Guardian Championship at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the Capitol Hill’s Senator Course in Prattville, Alabama, on Monday (Tuesday Manila time).
Ardina’s strong finish capped a solid three-day campaign and gave her added momentum heading into the final stretch of the Epson Tour season, with the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout set to begin this weekend in Arizona.
Spain’s Carla Escuder, meanwhile, completed a scorching final round despite weather interruptions, birdieing Nos. 12 and 17 on her way to a bogey-free, eagle-spiked 64. She finished at 16-under 200, edging China’s Michelle Zhang by two strokes for her first professional victory.
Zhang shot a 68 to finish at 202, while first-round leader and Fil-Am Kaleiya Romero settled for third at 204 after a 71.
The ICTSI-backed Ardina’s failure to crack the Top 10 notwithstanding, her 68 and overall performance underscored her improving form as she prepares for the last regular Epson Tour stop of the season. The Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout starts Friday and will be followed by the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells from Oct. 1-4, where the season’s top performers will vie for final honors.Bianca Pagdanganan, also supported by ICTSI, likewise produced a strong finish, firing a 67 to tie for 22nd at 211.
Pagdanganan had already made four birdies before play was halted by weather concerns. She returned to complete the round with two more birdies against a bogey over the final seven holes, securing another solid result.
Pauline del Rosario, however, was unable to make a late push after another 71, her second straight one-under card. She finished tied for 38th at 214, in a tie with Tomi Arejola, who also shot a one-under card.
Pagdanganan is also set to compete in the El Dorado Shootout, while Asian Games teammate Del Rosario has opted to rest and focus on preparations for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 3.
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