Golf: Rodriguez holds slim lead over Ardina at ICTSI LPG Tour

Canlubang - Amateur Cyna Rodriguez bucked a 20-minute rain delay as she held on to a slim lead, even as debuting professional Dottie Ardina was in hot pursuit of the title in the first leg of the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour at The Country Club.

Rodriguez of the ICTSI team put together a two-day total of 141 after an even par 72.  Ardina totaled a two-under-par 70 for 142 to join amateurs Princess Superal and Miya Legaspi at second place in the P500,000-event of the new tour for the ladies.

A chip in birdie from 35-feet started Rodriguez’s round.  She reeled back with a double bogey on No. 7, no thanks to a shanked second shot compounded by a lip out that would have saved par.  She then came back with birdies on the eighth, 13th and 16th.

However, two missed greens on the approach marred what could have been a great comeback to salvage that 72.  If she rolls on to the best score after 54 holes, she would not be presented the P100,000 champion’s prize as this is a pro tournament.

That means Ardina, who just turned pro this month, appears headed to her maiden crown after a stellar amateur career.

Ardina, whose last win was at the DHL in April, made six routine pars before disaster struck with a bogey on No. 7.  Instead of sulking, she rebounded with birdies on Nos. 8 (inches), 10 (5 feet), 11 (20 feet) and 14 (inches). She missed out on tying Rodriguez with a bogey on No. 15.

“It would have been nicer if I am in the lead,” said Ardina.  “I didn’t get much luck in putting.”

Next to Ardina was Jayvie Agojo, who made a 70 in the opener but limped with a four-over-par 76 today.  She slid down to fifth with 146, just one ahead of Lovelyn Guioguio’s 72 for 147.  Sarah Ababa followed with 75 for 150.

14-year-old Pauline del Rosario (76-151) and 12-year-old Sofia Chabon (77-153) were ninth and 11th in the standings. - CLP, GMA News