Ardina bags San Diego Jr. Masters

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina primed up for next week’s Callaway Junior World Championships with a big come-from-behind victory in the Annual San Diego Masters, nipping Thai ace Suchaya Tangkamolpraser with a gutsy even par 72 for a one-stroke win at Sycuan Resort’s Oak Glen Golf Course in El Cajun, California Thursday.

Ardina, the reigning Queen Sirikit Cup individual champion, battled back from three strokes down twice, the last with four holes to go, ramming in a pressure-packed six-foot birdie putt on No. 16 and closing out with a pair of clutch pars to snatch the victory at 144 and clinch a berth in next week’s Junior World tilt in San Diego.

The top ICTSI-backed bet, who also ruled the True Vision Junior Championship in Thailand recently, has actually gained a slot in the annual event among the world’s leading and rising junior stars after topping the local qualifying at Manila Southwoods but her latest victory augured well for her campaign in San Diego.

“This (win) should fire her up all the more when she competes in San Diego next week and at the same time inspire her teammates and the other members of the Philippine delegation,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.

Tangkamolpraser, who took a three-shot lead with birdies on Nos. 11 and 13, cracked under pressure, fumbling with three bogeys in the last four holes, including the par-5 18th, for a 74 and a 145.

Princess Superal made it a sweep for Team Phl as she captured the Class B (13-14) diadem, posting a similar one-stroke triumph over Taiwan’s Ssu Cha Cheng with a three-under 69 and a 141. Cheng also shot a 69 and shared second with erstwhile leader Kitty Tan of Hong Kong, who sputtered with a 73, at 142.

One shot behind Tangkamolpraser and teammate Sarah Ababa after 18 holes, Ardina fell farther behind by three as the Thai bet birdied two of the first three holes. But Tangkamolpraser bogeyed No. 4 and Ardina birdied the next which the Thai double-bogeyed for a three-shot swing that put the Filipino shotmaker ahead.

But Tangkamolpraser recovered with three birdies against a bogey in the next nine holes while Ardina lost her touch with three bogeys against a birdie in the same stretch to fall behind by three heading to the par-3 15th which the Thai bogeyed.

Ardina pounced on that miscue and struck a solid approach shot on No. 16 for birdie, forcing a tie as Tangkamolpraser holed out with a bogey for a two-shot swing. Ardina made two tough pars in the closing holes while the Thai missed the par-5 18th and failed to return a five-foot par putt, enabling Ardina to clinch the win in the premier Class A division.

Andie Unson birdied No. 17 and fired a 71 to tie Ababa, who stumbled with a 76,

in third at 147. ?