Cyna, Unson four shots off leader; Ardina struggles

MANILA, Philippines - Cyna Rodriguez and Andie Unson shot identical one-under 70s to trail Korean Jihee Kim by four at the start of the 36-hole stroke play qualifier of the US Women’s Amateur Championship at the Rhode Island Country Club in Rhode Island Monday.

Rodriguez, the former Philippine Ladies Open champion, hit three birdies to negate a two-bogey mishap for a 35-35 round at the par-71 layout as she joined seven others in sixth place.

That includes ICTSI teammate Unson, the reigning Philippine Amateur Open champion, who missed closing in on Kim with a shaky finish, bogeying two of the last three holes at the back for a 33-37 card.

Chihiro Ikeda fought back from an awful start of 39 with back-to-back birdies from No. 15 as she salvaged a one-over 72 for a share of 27th place among 156 starters chasing 64 slots in the match play phase.

Sarah Ababa made two birdies but fumbled with four bogeys as she dropped to joint 45th at 73, still within the cutoff line heading to the final round of the elims.

But Dottie Ardina, coming off a pair of runner-up finishes in the US Girls Championships and the Optimist International, groped for form with a 77 and in danger of missing the cut as she stood way below in joint 94th.

She failed to recover from a three-bogey string from No. 1, dropping four more strokes on Nos. 7, 8, 11 and 18 against a lone birdie on No. 10.

Jayvie Agojo, another former Phl Ladies Open champion, also sputtered with a 76 for a share of 84th, her round marred by six bogeys against one birdie.

“It’s a mixed result but I’m confident Dottie and Jayvie will be able to bounce back. They struggled with their putting, missing some close par putts,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.

Kim hit eight birdies in an awesome display of shotmaking, finishing with a five-under 66 for a two-shot lead over China’s Xi Yu Lin and Mariel Galdiano of Hawaii, who both had 68s, while Doris Chen of Florida and Pamela Pretswell of Scotland made identical 68s for fourth.