Golf: Ardina earns top seeding in match play phase of PHL Amateur Closed

Dottie Ardina fired a consecutive four-over-par 76 to top the two-day qualifier and will head as the top seed in Friday's start of the Philippine Amateur Closed Championship's match play phase at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club's signature Jack Nicklaus course. The 18-year-old Ardina, calm and composed when practically everyone have had a tough time against the sleek and tricky greens of the Nicklaus layout, only dropped two shots in each nine as she used more of the slopes to ram in a total of 14 pars.   Ardina, warming up to defend her title in the Queen Sirikit Cup, finished with a 152 aggregate and will face eighth seed Eva Miñoza of Del Monte Golf Club in the Round of 8. Sunshine Baraquiel, runner-up to Ardina in the recent DHL Amateur Open, placed second after a two-over-par 74 for 156. She'll meet seventh seed Jan Soleil Punzalan (86-173), the statuesque Riviera Golf Club bet. Jayvie Agojo (74-159) finished third and will duel with Apple Fudolin (83-168) while Lovelyn Guioguio (74-161) will test the mettle of the pretty 12-year-old Rainstar Roque (82-166). In the men's division, John Kier Abdon captured the low medal award with a 144 after a two-under-par 70, highlighted by five birdies as against only three bogeys. He is set for a showdown with No. 16 Mel Cubillo (82-165). Erstwhile leader Jonar Austria (77-150) claimed the No. 2 seed and will clash with Don Petil (82-165). Reymon Jaraulla finished third at 152 after a 78 for a showdown with Manfred Guangko, who shot an 80 for a 165. A total of 16 players made it to the first day of individual matches. In the mid-amateur division, Dennis Gonzales ran away with the low medal, shooting a second straight 78 for a 156 while Aian Arcilla and Raymond Bunquin took the next two spots with 162 and 164 after a 78 and 80, respectively. — JVP, GMA News