Ardina limps to 76, slips to 3rd

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina turned from awesome to awful as she hobbled with a four-over 76 after a record 65 and tumbled from joint lead to third, seven strokes behind erstwhile co-leader Su Hyun Oh in the third round of the Dunes Medal in Rye, Victoria, Australia Thursday.

Ardina, who set a new course record seven-under 65 in good condition to force a three-way tie for the lead Wednesday, failed to cope up with the adverse change in weather condition with temperature rising to as high as 40 degrees Celsius, the hottest in 15 years.

The top ICTSI-backed shotmaker fumbled early with a double bogey on the opening hole and dropped shots on Nos. 6 and 15, finishing without a birdie but salvaging three pars for that 76 and a 218.

That was seven shots behind Oh, who produced a gutsy 69 for a 211 and a two-stroke lead over Minjee Lee, who shot a 71 for a 213.

Jayvie Agojo made a 74 and stood 15 shots off Oh at 226, five shots behind fourth running Grace Lennon, who had a 76 and a 221.

“Dottie and Jayvie just couldn’t cope up with the change in weather condition here. Heavy rains marred the first day with temperatures dropping to low 17. It was fine in the second day at 26 degrees only to play under 40-degree condition in the third round,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.

He, however, added that his wards are out to rebound in the final day of the tournament with Ardina hoping to better her fourth place finish in the Elvie Whitesides won by Lee two weeks ago in Tasmania.