Ardina places joint 9th in Florida

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina closed with second straight 72 to salvage joint ninth in the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic dominated by the Canadians at the Lake Wales Country Club in Lake Wales, Florida Sunday.

Ardina, who hobbled with a 74 in the opener, hit just one birdie against a lone bogey in another tough day and wound up with a 218 total in the 54-hole tournament, seven shots behind the winning 211 by Sue Kim, who carded a 70 to post a three-shot win over compatriots and sisters Brooke and Brittany Henderson, who had a 70 and 74, respectively, and 214s.

Mia Piccio, who had an impressive two-under 70 start, failed to check her skid and finished with a 76 for a share of 23rd at 221.

Ardina, who missed the cut in the Volvik Championship in California four weeks ago, earned $2,585 while Piccio settled for $1,310.

Two-day leader Daniela Iacobelli of the US faded with an 81 and tumbled to joint 13th at 219.

Kim, who started the final round three off Iacobelli, buried a 25-foot birdie putt on the ninth to seize the lead then cruised to victory with a birdie-bogey stint at the back for that 70.