MANILA, Philippines — Dottie Ardina shot a three-under 68 while Fil-Japanese and two-time US Open winner Yuka Saso carded a 69 amid a struggling start for other Philippine bets in the Shoprite LPGA Classic Friday in Galloway, New Jersey.
Ardina gunned down three birdies in the first five holes to kick off her 36-38 round at the Seaview Bay Course.
Though she stumbled with a double bogey on No. 7, Ardina bounced back with birdies on the 13th and 15th to become one of 87 players, along with Saso, to break par in the opener of the 54-hole event.
Ardina shared 39th spot heading into Round 2 and stood seven shots off Thailand’s Aripchaya Yubol, who rose to the top with an eagle-spiked, bogey-free 61.
In action barely a week after her second major championship, Saso mixed three birdies with two bogeys to position herself in the cutoff line of two-under and tie for 51st.
Clariss Guce (72) and Bianca Pagdanganan (74) had it tough in the first 18 holes and would need to make their move on Saturday’s second day to secure their places in the final round.
Guce submitted a one-over 72 while Pagdanganan made a three-over 74 to occupy 110th and 129th, respectively.