Rosales fires 70, trails leader by three

A change in venue hardly changed Jennifer Rosales’ form as the ace Filipina shotmaker continued to dish out great games against the world’s best players, firing a two-under 70 Saturday (Sunday in Manila) and moving within three strokes off the pace in the third round of the LPGA Office Depot Pro-Am in Miami, Florida.

Two birdies in the last three holes spiked Rosales’ 35-35 round at the par-72 Blue Monster layout of the Doral Resort and Spa, the venue of the last 36 holes of the $825,000 event which staged the first two rounds at the par-70 Red Course.
Rosales, determined to score a breakthrough win this year after mediocre debut in the LPGA Tour last season, also had two birdies at the front side which negated her two bogeys on Nos. 6 and 12.

With a 212 aggregate, which included rounds of 70 and 72, Rosales, who started the round four shots off the lead, closed within joint leaders Michele Redman and Grace Park at ninth place heading into the final 18 holes of this championship serving as the third leg of this year’s circuit.

Redman sizzled with a 67 and seized the lead with Park, firing a 70, at 209 as halfway round leader Barb Mucha faltered under the demanding conditions at the wind-swept layout. Mucha limped with a 73 and slid to joint fourth at 211.

But while Rosales sustained her momentum, compatriot Dorothy Delasin failed to endure the pressure after turning in a two-under 34 in the first nine holes. She fumbled with four bogeys and a double bogey at the back for a 42. With a 76 and a 222, the 20-year-old Delasin, winner of last year’s Giant Eagle Classic and Rookie of the Year honors, bowed out of contention.