Ardina's 71 lifts Phl to second in Queen Sirikit

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina shot one of the day’s only two under-par cards, a 71, that lifted Team Philippines to second with a 147, just two strokes behind fancied defending champion South Korea at the start of the Queen Sirikit Cup in New Delhi, India late Wednesday.

Ardina, settling down with her A-game following a series of mediocre performances back home, played solid against the Koreans and the Chinese in demanding condition at the tight Delhi Golf Club layout, hitting two birdies on No. 6 and 14 to negate a missed-green bogey on No. 5.

With Chihiro Ikeda adding a four-over 76, the Philippines found itself within striking distance of the five-peat seeking Koreans in what could be its strongest start in years in the annual event featuring the leading teams in the Asia-Pacific region.

Jayvie Agojo struggled with a 78 and didn’t count in the three-to-play, two-to-count format event.

“Dottie saved the day for the team. She played steady golf the whole round,” said national team coach and ICTSI mentor Bong Lopez. “The girls were so eager to play Team Korea and they were able to hold their own against the defending champions.”

Hyo Joo Kim, the world’s No. 1 amateur and winner of the individual title in New Zealand last year, played true to form and fired a three-under 69, powering Korea to the top at 145 that included any of the 76 by Ji Hee Kim and In Gee Chun.

Ardina’s 71 also put her two shots behind Hyo in the individual race with Gauri Monga of India another two strokes adrift at 73.

New Zealand pooled a 150 for third while Taipei had a 151 and Japan and China shared fifth place with 152s.

While Ardina made a fine start, Ikeda groped for form in windy condition at the back, blowing an even par stint at the front with a closing 40, marred by double bogeys on Nos. 11 and 16 when she drove into the forest.

Agojo also had a good start, keeping a par-game up to the sixth and holding on to a three-over card heading to the par-5 No. 18, which she triple bogeyed when she pushed her drive into the woods and made an 8.

“The course is difficult. You have to be careful with your tee shot or you can land in the forest,” said Lopez.