Ardina shows way in Thai Am with 69

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina recovered from an early bogey mishap with a string of birdies as she fired a three-under 69 to open a two-stroke lead over ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda and local ace Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras at the start of the Thailand Amateur Open in Bangkok late Tuesday.

Ardina, seeking her fifth victory abroad in the season, fumbled with a bogey on the par-4 No. 5 but struck back with birdies on Nos. 6, 8, 10 and 17 to wrest control of the field in the 72-hole tournament serving as part of the national team’s buildup for next month’s SEA Games in Indonesia.

The 17-year-old Ardina and Ikeda, 20, will spearhead the country’s title-retention campaign in the biennial meet along with Jayvie Agojo, who scored a golden double in the recent Hong Kong Amateur Open.

Ikeda actually seized control early, stringing three straight birdies from No. 6 but the reigning Philippine Ladies Open champion bogeyed two of the last six holes to settle for a 71.

Thanapolboonyaras missed joining Ardina, the reigning Queen Sirikit individual champion who ruled the recent Malaysian Juniors Open, at the helm with a double-bogey on the final hole, dropping into a tie with Ikeda.

Siriko Thamonpatsorn matched par 72 for solo fourth while Asama McKenzie carded a 73 followed by the other ICTSI bet Sarah Ababa, who shared sixth place with Thai Pavarisa Yoktuan at 74.

Defending champion Yupaporn Kawinpakorn struggled with three bogeys and a double bogey against a birdie and stood six shots off Ardina at 75.

Meanwhile, Lloyd Go made a 76 and trailed by nine in the men’s side paced by Natipong Srithong, who shot a 67 for a one-shot lead over Myanmar’s Maung Maung Oo, who had a 68. Raymond Jaraula limped with a 79.