Pinay bets second in world junior golf

SAN DIEGO, California – From a triple kill to a triple letdown.

Dottie Ardina failed to sustain a searing rally while Mia Legaspi squandered a five-shot lead as the Philippines settled for a pair of runner-up finishes in the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships in various courses here.

The 13-year-old Ardina lost the girls 13-14 years title by one stroke to Victoria Tanco of Argentina despite a birdie-birdie windup, wasting a big rally from four shots down with a bogey on the 15th hole that told heavily on her bid for a third victory here.

Legaspi appeared on her way to a title repeat in the girls 7-8 years as she led by five after seven holes. But an eagle by eventual winner Angel Taingi Yin of the United States on the eighth against her bogey led to a three-shot swing that started a sputtering finish for the defending champion who bogeyed four of five holes from the 10th.

Ardina’s tournament-best three-under 69 gave her a 212 total for 54 holes, barely missing a playoff with Tanco who completed a wire-to-wire win with a 72-211 at the Sycuan Resort. Legaspi ended up with a 63-180 against the 57-176 of Yin.

Even Bambee dela Paz, the second round leader in the 15-17 years division for the Philippines, lost control.

She could only score a three-over 77 after a pair of two-under rounds the first two days and dropped to a tie for fifth at Torrey Pines North. Dela Paz will be joined by Cyna Rodriguez and Regan de Guzman in today’s last round.

Rodriguez tallied 76-226 for a share of 13th while de Guzman carded a 77 for 231.

Bernice Olivarez-Ilas wound up third in 6-under play, Princess Superal fourth in the girls 9-10 and Andie Unson checked in fifth in the 11-12 division for the Philippines’ other worthy finishes.

Marcel Puyat was the best RP finisher at joint 11th in the 13-14 years category.