Ardina all pumped up for Q Sirikit Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina sets out for one of her toughest title defenses in a young but checkered amateur career – against the very best in Asia-Pacific, including world number 1 Lydia Ko, in the Queen Sirikit Cup beginning Wednesday in Singapore.

Still, she oozes with confidence when she left for the Lion City Sunday, raring to get going and slug it out with the aces in the region in pursuit of the crown she won over Korean aces Hyo Joo Kim and Ji Hee Kim in a thrilling finale in India last year.

It was the first-ever victory by a Filipina in all 33 stagings of the annual event with Ardina, along with ICTSI teammates Jayvie Agojo and Chihiro Ikeda missing completing what could have been a record sweep by settling for runner-up honors in team competition.

With Agojo, the reigning Hong Kong Amateur Open champion, retaining her spot in the squad, Lovelynn Guioguio, winner of this year’s Philippine Amateur Open, takes over Ikeda, who has turned pro early this year, keeping the Filipinas among the favorites in team play in the event which drew 13 member-countries.

Ardina also said she’s all-set for her title defense.

“I am prepared. My game is peaking and I am playing well,” said the 18-year-old Ardina, who has racked up a number of victories here and abroad, including feats that earned her invitations to play in a couple of pro tournaments.

Heading to the 54-hole championship at Tanah Merah Country Club, Ardina has annexed three wins, including the DHL Open, the RSGC Juniors in Kuala Lumpur and the Philippine Amateur Match Play Championship, underscoring her readiness for the big event.

She, however, stressed the need to polish her putting stroke.

“I am confident but I hope to get the breaks and keep my putts falling since this (putting) will be the key,” said Ardina.

Shotmaking will also be a big factor, according to ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez, adding that the Singapore layout is far different from the Delhi Golf Club course where Ardina shot a five-under 211 to hold off Hyo by one.

“Tanah Merah is wider and much longer, so it is important that she puts her drive on the fairway to set up good approach shots,” said Lopez, expecting a tough outing for his wards in the presence of Ko and her New Zealand teammates along the Koreans, the Japanese and the Malaysian players.