RP bets at helm in 3 world jungolf divisions

SAN DIEGO, California – The Philippines edged closer to matching its record three-title finish as two-time world champion Dottie Ardina emerged solo frontrunner while Miggy Yee and Bernice Olivarez Ilas surged into the lead in their respective divisions here Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

Ardina, an ICTSI standout, endured an up-and-down round and broke out of a four-way jam with a one-under 71 for a one-shot lead in the girls 13-14 class of the Callaway Junior World golf championship at the Sycuan Resort-Oak Glen course.

The long-hitting Yee, a grade 6 student at La Salle Greenhills, leaned on his tremendous power off the tees – averaging 285 yards – as he birdied all five par-5 holes en route to one of the three 69 cards in the day and a two-stroke edge in the 11-12 division at the Lake San Marcos.

And the six-year-old Ilas, watched by family members in the clubhouse, submitted a three-over 57 to pace her class by one stroke at Colina Park.

That put the country within a round of equaling its best ever finish in 32 years – a three-title romp two years ago. The RP contingent is backed by Philippine Airlines, Samsung, Diamond Motors, Crestlink and ICTSI.

“Pipilitin ko po (Will try to win it),” said Ardina who is aiming for a third crown, having once dominated the 11-12 and 8-and-under divisions.

The 14-year-old David Leadbetter Academy scholar had a roller-coaster round of three bogeys and a double bogey against six birdies, the last on the 17th to gain the lead over first day co-leader Alina Ching of Hawaii, who posted a consistent one-birdie one-bogey card.

Ardina had 70-71-141 against Ching’s 70-72-142 and joint third placers Regin Plasensia of South Carolina (71-72-143) and Lydia Gumm of New York (72-71-143).

Yee torched the backnine of the par-72, 6,426-yard course where he started with four-under par 32 with birdies on all 4 par 5s. He slowed down on the frontside with a 37 with a fifth par-5 birdie on the eighth and a three-putt bogey on the ninth for a 69 and five-under 139.

“He was relaxed and pressure-free. He played as if it were just a practice round,” said his father Sonny Yee.

The shy 11-year-Yee led Thailand’s Korntawach Julamool (69-141) by two and first day leader Virat Badhwar of India (74-142) and Jordan Surya Irawan of Indonesia (69-142) by three shots.

Two other Filipinos, AR Ramos, firing a 74 and JR Gonzales, shooting a 70, were at 145.

Ilas engaged friend and Manila-based Malaysian Natasha Andrea Oon in a fun-filled duel for 15 holes until the grand daughter of former Parañaque mayor Pablo Olivarez, an interested spectator behind the fence, took the lead on the 16th with a par.

But she blew a three-foot birdie putt on the 18th that could have padded her margin and settled for a 57 and 117. Oon had identical 57 for 118 even as former leader Karah Sanford faltered with 65 for joint third at 121.

In the centerpiece boys 15-17 class at Torrey Pines south, Marcel Puyat, another ICTSI entry, rallied with 75 to be the best among the Filipinos with 152 and a tie for 27th. John Kier Abdon had 79-153, Jobim Carlos 79-159 and Marvin Mendoza 77-162. Taiwan’s Tao Huang paced the field with 70-72-142.

Former national player Regina de Guzman carded a 73-150 for joint 14th on the girls side at Carlton Oaks, seven shots behind leader Danielle Frazier (74-143). RP Ladies Open titlist Chihiro Ikeda carded 77-152, Sunshine Baraquiel 75-153 and Lou Isabelle Manalo 87-165.

Lou Daniella Uy, running third in the girls 11-12 a day earlier, staggered to a 78 but made the cut; Rupert Saragoza was only five shots off the pace in the 9-10 class following a 62 and 125 while former champ Mia Legaspi bounced back with a 59-124 and made the cut.