Golf: Ardina romps in the new year with early lead at PHL Am Open

Dottie Ardina picked up where she left off last year, producing a two-under-par 70 at the tough East course of Wack Wack to grab an early four-stroke lead over Jayvie Agojo at the start of the 54-hole women’s competition of the Philippine Amateur Open Championship, Tuesday.                  The 19-year-old Ardina, who won seven times as member of the ICTSI-The Country Club team in 2012, collected three birdies overall with only one bogey as a black mark on the 16th hole.  Nevertheless, she held on for the advantage over her teammate Agojo.                  “I tried to limit my mistakes.  It will be tough to score if I make a lot at the East layout.  I was careful but also aggressive at times when I know I can make a birdie,” Ardina said.                  Agojo, current Santi Cup individual titlist of the Putra Cup, cashed in on two late birdies to distance herself from Mia Legaspi (75) and ICTSI-TCC bet Princess Superal (76).  Nur Binti Damian of Malaysia was the best-placed foreigner.                  In the men’s play, Rupert Zaragosa carded a two-over 74 to seize the upperhand over Korean expat Jong Sang-in.                  Zaragosa, who studies as a junior high school student at Don Bosco Canlubang, tallied 147 together with his 73 in the first round. Jong would have gotten the lead but he limped with back-to-back bogeys on the 17th and 18th for a 75 and 148.                  Singapore’s Jerome Ng scored a 73 for 151, the same output of countryman Gregory Foo after a 74.  Overnight leader Wolen Superal skied to an 80 for 152 and was five shots back. - AMD, GMA News