Ardina, Legaspi pace world jungolf

Dottie Ardina and Mia Legaspi put the Philippines on the threshold of a first double victory in the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in 20 years when they seized control in their respective divisions behind a pair of solid games in the penultimate round in San Diego, California on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

The 12-year-old Ardina, who started the day one shot adrift of Japanese Airi Sugimoto, fired a second straight three-under par 70 for a 140 at the Cottonwood course as she grabbed a two-stroke lead over Mariko Tumangan (69-142) in girls’ Class C while the bespectacled Legaspi turned in the day’s only sub-par round of one-under par 57 at the Pine course of the Sycuan Golf Club to surge ahead by four in girls’ Class E.

Cyna Rodriguez shot a two-under par 70 for a 141 as she poised to make it a triple victory for Team Philippines by moving to within a stroke of two-day leader Elisa Aoki in the girls Class B play at the Sycuan Oak course.

Curiously, Ardina and Legaspi will be up against players of Filipino lineage in their bid to give Team Philippines its first twin-kill since the now professionals Carito Villaroman and Ramon Brobio won the boys Class A and Class B titles in 1985.

With a 123 aggregate for two days, Legaspi, a second grader at the Masters Academy, leads Allisen Corpuz, a Fil-American from Hawaii, and Ziyi Wang of China. Corpuz shot a 61 and Wang had a 63 for 127 totals.

Ardina’s bid for her second title since winning the 8-under crown in 2002 will be challenged by Tumangan, a Fil-Japanese who fired a 69-142 to trail by two.

"I’m glad to be in the lead," said Ardina, one of the mainstays of a pool of players sponsored by ICTSI. "I’m confident of my swing but I have to be extra careful so as not to commit mistakes. But I have to be aggressive so the others can’t catch up."

"My practice yesterday paid off," said Rodriguez, also a member of the ICTSI squad eyeing to complete a come-from-behind victory in her group.

Save for Miguel Tabuena and JR Gonzales most of the boys’ bets of the contingent under the auspices of Jungolf and supported by Philippines Airlines, Pagcor, PCSO and ICTSI, floundered.

Tabuena just couldn’t shrug off his front nine woes and needed to rally for a 74-146 that left him tied for seventh in boys Class C, seven shots behind the leading American boy while Gonzales, the 7-8 years champ two years ago, had a 62-125 and was six shots behind in a tie for fifth.

Reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion Debbie de Villa likewise bounced back in the girls Class A play, her two-under 72 at Torrey Pines south lifting the diminutive lass to a share of 17th place but still 11 strokes down the leading Mika Miyazato of Japan.

"I could have birdied more holes," said de Villa. "My rhythm was good and I feel like my ball-striking was very efficient today."

Wolen Superal, last year’s 11-12 years champion, was 12 shots behind while Marcel Puyat missed the cut in Class B at Riverwalk and the RP bets in Class A are also in danger of not joining the final round action at Torrey Piney.