MANILA, Philippines - Cyna Rodriguez stayed on track of her title-retention bid in the PNGA (Pacific Northwest Golf Association) Women’s Amateur Championship as she bundled out two rivals Wednesday to barge into the quarterfinal round of the match play event at the Arrowhead Golf Club in Molalla, Oregon.
Rodriguez, 17, whipped Brittany Wilcox, 4&3, in the last 32 match then trounced ICTSI teammate Sarah Ababa, 3&2, in the afternoon to join low medalist Sara Ovadia in the quarterfinal round, along with fellow RP bets Dottie Ardina and Chihiro Ikeda.
Ovadia outclassed Kelsey Johnson, 8&6, then booted out Erica Omlid, 3&2, to arrange a duel with Shu-Yin Lin for a spot in the semis.
Ardina, the top ICTSI bet who fell short of her title bid in the WWGA National Championship two weeks ago, survived two cliffhangers to get through the quarters, nipping Breanne Smith in the first round of match play, 1-up, then outlasting Amanda Jacobs of Oregon in the afternoon, 2-up.
But she drew Ikeda as her quarterfinal opponent with the Fil-Japanese shotmaker posting a 5&3 rout of Avery Collura and 3&2 win over Jacqueline Olson.
The 15-year-old Ardina will be trying to make it two-in-a-row over Ikeda, whom she also beat on her way to bagging the national amateur crown at Eastridge last month.
Last year’s runner-up Anya Tanpinco toppled Danielle Madden, 7&6, in the last 32 but fell to Kendra Little, 2&1, in the next round while Louise Manalo hurdled Tiffany Schoning, 3&2, in the morning match but fell to Pamela Burneski in the next, 2&1.
Burneski earlier beat Bambee de la Paz, 5&4.