Ardina makes US Girls Jrs quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina came away with two tough victories, including a come-from-behind win over Cindy Feng of Florida in the Last 16, to reach the quarterfinal round of US Girls’ Junior Championship at the Olympia Fields Country Club in Chicago Thursday.

Ardina, playing in her fourth US Girls tilt, fought back from two holes down with a par and birdie on Nos. 15 and 16, respectively, then birdied the par-5 18th to turn back Feng and clinch a spot in the Last 8 of the annual event among the world’s leading junior players.

The 17-year-old top ICTSI bet, who drew a low 38th ranking after a so-so stint in the 36-hole stroke play elims, earlier stunned sixth seed Emma Talley of Kentucky, 2-up, taking the last two holes, including a birdie on the 18th.

She faces Summar Roachell of Arkansas for a berth in the semis.

Others vying for semis seats are top seed Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand who squares off with Gabriella Then of California, Amy Lee, also of California, who takes on Talla Campbell of Texas, and Karen Chung of New Jersey, who tangles with Chinese Yu Liu.

Over in North Carolina Cyna Rodriguez also posted two victories to reach the quarterfinal round of the 109th North and South Women’s Amateur Championship match play event at Pinehurst No. 2.

Rodriguez, the former Philippine Ladies Amateur Open champion, edged Rachel Rohanna, 1-up, in the Last 32 then thwarted Katherine Perry, 2-up, in the next round to set up a quarter duel with 10th ranked Marina Alex.

The three other ICTSI-backed bets, however, fell by the wayside with Chihiro Ikeda bowing to third seed Mitsuki Katahira, 2&1, in the Last 16 stage, Lovelynn Guioguio, who beat Victoria Trapani, 3&1, in the first round, dropping a 2&1 decision to Alex, and Sarah Ababa losing to Katahira, 2-up.