Dottie home from golf war

MANILA, Philippines — It was not the best of times nor the worst of times but Pinay pro golfer Dottie Ardina marked her season with a first ever tour victory and a regular LPGA card.

Ardina, a 10-year tour regular, claimed her breakthrough win in the Copper Rock Championship in Hurricane, Arizona with a blistering comeback to win by two strokes.

The 28-year-old Ardina bucked a storm-hit first two rounds and nailed the win with a 65 despite playing without a caddy on the final day.

“At least it’s one thought off my mind,” said the ICTSI-backed Dottie, hinting the long title drought of 10 years was finally quenched.

Her regular bag carrier Jay Davey tried out for six months as the caddy of US Open champion Yuka Saso.

Ardina claimed top prize of $30,000 and capped the season with over $98,00 total earnings, a far cry from the over $150,000 she pocketed the other year when she finished third in the KPMG women’s PGA.

Toward the end of the season, Dottie entered the grueling LPGA qualifying school and easily made the final cut at  11-under as against the 29-under of topnotcher Korean Hae Ran Hyu.

Ardina will stay with her parents in the off-season where she will try to prepare for the next grind by first recuperating from the energy spent in the last campaign.