Ardina survives shifty Friday weather to rule DHL Amateur golf

CANLUBANG, Laguna—Dottie Ardina survived a windy morning and late afternoon drizzle to shoot a two-over-par 74 and cruise to a five-shot victory in the girls' play in the WWW Express-DHL Amateur Golf Championships at the Canlubang Golf Club Friday. It was a brutal finale at the North course that nobody from the 15 female competitors broke par. Sunshine Baraquiel, Ardina's ICTSI teammate, turned in a day-best one-over 73 to finish second in the annual National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP)-organized event. The 18-year-old Ardina's success comes off the heels of a win at the RSGC AmBank tilt in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, making her a sentimental favorite to repeat as individual champion in the upcoming Queen Sirikit Cup slated in Singapore on April 23 to 27. Ardina end up with a 219 total, five better than Baraquiel's 224. The petite Marvi Monsalve checked in with a consecutive 74 to finish third with 226. Jayvie Agojo placed fourth with 75-228 while Sarah Jane Ababa (76) and Princess Superal (76) completed the top five with identical 232s. "It always feels great to win. I struggled early this year but with coach Bong Lopez's guidance, I'm slowly getting back my game," said Ardina. Andrea Unson finally broke 80 to card a 74 for 236, in a tie with Daniella Uy (76). Dethroned titlist Lovelyn Guioguio made a 76 for 239. Royal Northwoods' Shin Jin-woo of Korea, on the other hand, led from start to end to capture the boys' crown against unheralded Jonar Austria and John Kier Abdon. Despite a wobbly back nine with three bogeys on Nos. 12, 14 and 18 and a birdie on No. 10 for 38, Shin had a decent 35 on a birdie on the ninth to salvage a 73 and 295. Austria snatched second spot with 71 and 297. Abdon also fired a 71 for a share of third with Gio Gandionco (75) and Andres Saldana (75) on 299s. — Adrian Flores/JVP, GMA News