Pinay golfers struggle to reach 2nd round

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina endured three extra holes to shrug off Aurora Kan of Pennsylvania while Jayvie Agojo and Lovelynn Guioguio also pulled through after 19 holes to advance to the Last 32 of the Western Women’s Golf Association National Amateur Championship in Monroe, Michigan Wednesday.

Ardina and Kan fought it out on even terms at the par-73 Monroe Golf and Country Club but the top ICTSI-Philippine bet struck a superb approach shot to within four feet on the third playoff hole for birdie to prevail and set a second round duel with Shannon Lubar of Colorado, who won over Prima Thammaraks on disqualification.

Agojo led from the start but couldn’t whisk off Kimberly Dinh of Michigan in regulation, needing to sink a six-footer for par on the first extra hole to advance against Susanna Grunden of Texas, who beat Melanie Audette of Florida, 2-up.

Guioguio, the No. 3 seed, rolled in a birdie putt from 22 feet on the 19th hole to outlast Sarah Matthews of Tennessee. She will face Samantha Swineheart of Ohio, who routed Michelle Mayer, 4&3.

Sarah Ababa took control early, sealing it with a birdie on the 17th for a 2&1 victory over Allison Schultz of Ohio and a clash with Angela Codian, who thumped Mary Bryan, 6&5.

Mia Piccio led by as many as five holes but wavered in the closing holes, clinching a 2&1 win over Emee Hermert to arrange a showdown with Minami Levonovich of Houston, who defeated Rachel Pollock, 3&1.

Princess Superal, however, lost to Isabelle Kane of Illinois on the 19th hole, leaving five other ICTSI teammates in the hunt for the crown in the 112nd staging of the annual event.

Top seed Ariya Jutanugarn ripped Sarah Johnson, 7&6, to underscore her top form while No. 2 Mary Maggio beat Emily Haas, 4&3, to lead the charge of the fancied bets.

Cyna Rodriguez nipped Mary Ramsay on the 20th hole in the consolation round.