Ardina fires 72, wrests Penang lead

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina knocked down clutch putts in the closing holes to salvage a second straight 72 as she grabbed a one-stroke lead over erstwhile leader Cyna Rodriguez in the second round of the Ladies Penang Amateur Open in Penang, Malaysia late Wednesday.

With a 144 aggregate, the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet, who recently won the Taiwan Amateur and dominated the Canlubang Amateur Open, surged past Rodriguez, who stumbled with a three-over 75 at the challenging Bukit Jawa Lake Course after an impressive two-under 70.

But with a 145 aggregate, Rodriguez, the reigning Hong Kong Am champion, is expected to get back at Ardina, guaranteeing a shootout between two of the country’s leading players in the final round of the 54-hole tournament.

Daniella Uy joins the all-Pinay championship flight after turning in a 74 for a 146, just two strokes behind Ardina.

Bianca Pagdanganan also made a 75 but remained within striking distance at 148 while Santi Cup individual winner Jayvie Agojo rebounded with a 73 after a 78 but stood seven shots off the pace at 151.

The Filipina bets continued to dominate the 42nd staging of the event with Lim Ai Lyn, who fumbled with a 79, emerging as the best local player at 155 in a tie with another Phl entry, Sarah Ababa, who skied to a 78.