Ardina drops to 2nd with second 74

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina struggled with her driving and ended up with a second straight two-over 74, dropping to second behind Maria Torres of Puerto Rico in the third round of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship at the PGA National Golf and Resort at West Palm Beach in Florida Saturday.

Ardina drove into the water hazard on No. 18 for her fourth bogey in the day, finishing with a 36-38 card for a 54-hole aggregate of 216 as the top ICTSI-backed bet yielded the lead she has held in the first two days after a 68 and a 74.

Torres, one down with Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea at the start of the round, birdied Nos. 15 and 16 to salvage an even par 72 and wrest the lead at 215 heading into the last 18 holes of the annual championship in the 15-18 girls division.

Thai’s Panitta Yusabai also carded a 72 to grab third place at 218 as Darquea faltered with a 76 and tumbled down to fourth at 219 in a tie with Mexico’s Daniela Ortiz, who shot a 71.

Andie Unson fired the day’s best score of four-under 68 and moved to joint seventh at 222, seven shots off Torres while Sarah Ababa fumbled with a 78 and stood in joint 21st at 230.

In Wyoming, top seed Sunshine Baraquiel’s string of impressive rounds came to an abrupt end when she was upset by No. 25 Ashlee Dewhurst, 3&2, in the quarterfinal round of the 81st Women’s Trans Amateur Golf Championship in Sheridan Saturday.