Golf: Ardina survives Cangolf's wet conditions, holds 6-shot lead

CANLUBANG, Laguna—Dottie Ardina, unfazed by rains, carded a one-under-par 71 highlighted by an eagle at the back nine to hold a six-shot lead heading to the last round of the girls' competition in the WWW Express-DHL Amateur Golf Championships at the Canlubang Golf Club. Ardina holed in an ego-boosting putt on the 17th hole, a par-five, to go with four birdies as against five bogeys for 145 in 36 holes in the 54-hole championship, the second of 11 legs in the amateur circuit conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP). Sunshine Baraquiel is Ardina's closest competitor with a 77 for 151. Marvi Monsalve, a St. Paul Pasig student, climbed to third spot with 152 after a 74 as Jayvie Agojo had a roller-coaster day to end up with a 78 and 153 aggregate. "It's a pretty good lead," said the 18-year-old Ardina, who is preparing to defend her crown in next month's Queen Sirikit Cup in Singapore. Sarah Jane Ababa (77) and Princess Superal (78) were tied on 156s while Daniella Uy (77) and Korean Lee Ye-rin (79) have identical 160s. In men's play, Shin Jin-woo of Korea kept a two-stroke lead despite hobbling with a three-over-par 75 for 222 in 54 holes. Lefty Andres Saldana scored a 71 and got back into title contention with a 224 overall. Gio Gandionco (71) and Filipino-German Keanu Jahns (72) were tied on 225s. John Kier Abdon also had a 76 in wet condition for a 228 while Jung Han Mil (73), Jan Philippe De Claro (76), Joey Huerva (76), Noel Langamin (77), Lawrence Celestino (78) and first day leader Sung Hwan Yoon (79) all had 229s in the tournament. — Adrian Flores/JVP, GMA News