Ardina, Unson trail by one in Thailand

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina and Andrea Unson bucked windy, rainy conditions in Thailand as they matched par 73s to trail Xiyu Lin of China by one at the start of the 10th True Visions-Singha International Junior Golf Championship at the Royal Green Valley Golf Club in Rayong Tuesday.

Ardina, the individual winner in the recent Queen Sirikit Cup and runner-up to ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda in last week’s Thailand Ladies Open, hit two birdies against two bogeys from a pair of errant tee shots while Unson made three birdies but had a double-bogey and a bogey.

Lin held her ground to fire a one-under 72 at the St. Andrews 2000 Course, actually a par-74 layout but was made a par-73 after one of the par 6s was converted into a par-5.

Thai Nattapun Siritrai struggled with a 77 while Myanmar’s Yin May Myo had a 79 in the Division A for 15-20 years old.

Daniella Uy, the other ICTSI-backed bet in the tournament, turned in a 74 and stood four shots off Thailand’s Benyapa Niphatsophon, who shot a 70 to pace Division B for 13-14 years old.

“Dottie’s long game was good all day but made two bad tee shots while Andie struck the ball and putted well,” said JR Tanpinco, one of the assistant coaches of the ICTSI golf team.