Ardina cards another 70, slips to 2nd

Dottie Ardina failed to rescue a closing par and carded a second straight two-under 70, dropping to second behind erstwhile co-leader Nontaya Srisawang of Thailand in the second round of the Singha-Sat Thai LPGA Championship in Hua Hin, Thailand yesterday.

Ardina, seeking a third straight championship after topping the Thailand Ladies Open (18-20 division) and the True Visions International the last two weeks, headed to the final hole with a three-under card after birdying Nos. 5, 13 and 16 at the Sea Pine Golf Club layout.

But the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet missed the 18th green and failed to return a six-footer for par, enabling Srisawang to wrest a one-stroke lead with a 69.

The Thai ace pooled a 139 while Ardina had a 140 to set up a final round shootout between the two power-hitters.

Thanaporn Totanarungroat made a second 73 and stood seven shots off the pace at 146 in a tie with compatriot Patchajutar Kongkrapan, who hobbled with a 75.

The other Filipina bet, Sarah Ababa fired an eagle-spiked 73 but remained way behind at 149.

Ababa hit an eagle on No. 6 to atone for her double-bogey miscue on No. 2 then birdied No. 12 that sandwiched her bogeys on Nos. 9 and 18.