Ardina starts strong, trails leaders by 2 with solid 67 in IOA Golf Classic

MANILA, Philippines -- Olympian Dottie Ardina delivered a strong finish to card a four-under 67 and move within two strokes of the lead at the start of the IOA Golf Classic in Longwood, Florida.

The veteran Filipina campaigner caught fire on the front side of the par-71 Alaqua Country Club course – her closing nine in the morning wave – completing a bogey-free round and briefly sharing the clubhouse lead with China’s Yue Ren.

By day’s end, however, Gianna Clemente and Jennifer Elliott surged ahead with identical 65s. Ren later charged with a five-under 30 on her front nine to tie Mariel Galdiano for third place.

Despite slipping from the top spot, the ICTSI-backed Ardina’s opening round marked an encouraging start. She birdied the par-3 11th before breaking a string of pars with birdies on Nos. 1, 3 and 9.

The performance came just a week after Ardina finished tied for 29th at the Atlantic Beach Classic, also in Florida, indicating she had quickly regained her rhythm during the brief break as she pursues her second Epson Tour title.

Ardina captured her first victory on the circuit at the Copper Rock Championship in 2022.

While Ardina stayed within striking distance, the other Filipina campaigners struggled in the opening round. Tomi Arejola was one-under through 15 holes but closed with a bogey to settle for a 71 to drop to joint 34th.

Clariss Guce turned in a 72, placing her just above the projected cutoff line in the $200,000, 54-hole championship, the second leg of this year’s Epson Tour.

Bianca Pagdanganan, whose campaign is also supported by the world’s leading port operator, carded a 73 marred by a double bogey on the par-4 second hole. The power-hitting former LPGA Tour campaigner dominated the three par-5s and added another birdie on the par-3 18th. But she dropped shots on Nos. 1, 7, 10 and 17, leaving her tied for 69th and in danger of missing the cut.

Pauline del Rosario, the top Filipina finisher last week with a joint ninth-place effort, also struggled to find her form in a late start. She posted two bogeys without a birdie to finish with a similar two-over card.

Sam Bruce also faced the prospect of an early exit after an opening-round 84.