Ardina drops to 2nd with 74 in China

MANILA, Philippines –  Dottie Ardina floundered with a two-over par and slipped to second behind first round co-leader Annie Choi of Australia halfway through the Aaron Baddeley International Junior Golf Championships at the Lion Lake Golf and Country Club in Quiyung, China Friday.

Ardina hung tough with an even par after 12 holes but fumbled with two bogeys to pool a 36-hole aggregate of 146, one stroke behind Choi, who surged ahead with a 73 and a 145 in the overall championship.

The top ICTSI team bet, however, still kept the lead in the 17-and-under class, 16 strokes ahead of second running Brittany Mai of the US, who skied to an 82 for a 162 in a tie with Japan’s Yukina Kido, who also had an 82.

Sarah Ababa, another mainstay of the ICTSI squad, likewise remained on top in the 16-and-under division, assembling a 147 after a 74 for a one-shot lead over Cecilia Cho of New Zealand, who had a 75 for a 148. Ellie Na of Korea carded a 75 for third at 151.

Andie Unson, meanwhile, rebounded from an opening 84 with a 74, moving up to fifth in the 15-and-under category with a 158, 13 strokes off Choi.