Golf: Ardina surges in second day of Canlubang

Dottie Ardina fought back hard in the second round to post a six-under-par 66, seizing the upper hand in the second leg of the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, held at the Canlubang Golf Club’s North course in Laguna on Wednesday.
                
After struggling to a one-over-par 73 in the rain-drenched opening round, Ardina went bogey-free this time, draining four birdies at the onset for a turning 32, then added two more at the back side for that solid finish.
                
That gave her a two-day haul of 139, as she zoomed past chief rival Chihiro Ikeda, who was also superb with her five-under-par 67 and 144 total, in the chase for the P100,000 champion’s cash prize out of the P500,000 fund.
                
Ikeda, who limped to a 74 in her debut in the local ladies tour, made seven birdies as against two bogeys overall.
                
“I knew I had to make my move now. This is only a 54-hole tournament so it is important to move up the standings today,” Ardina said.
                
Ikeda had that in mind also. She bucked a bogey start with four birdies in the first nine.  A birdie on the ninth stopped her momentum.
                
“My round was way better than yesterday’s. I’d have to do this thing tomorrow to catch up with Dottie,” said Ikeda.
                
Amateur Princess Superal, the first leg’s runner-up to Ardina, carded a 74 to be on 147 and tied at third place with Jayvie Agojo (73).
                
Former amateur standout Anya Tanpinco shot her best round of one-under-par 71 for 148 to stay in the hunt for the title. She was tied with erstwhile leader Lovelyn Guioguio (78).
                
Harmie Constantino, another amateur, was at seventh with 150, followed by Del Monte’s Apple Fudolin 152 and while Lucy Landicho and ICTSI pair of Pauline del Rosario and Sofia Chabon were on 151s. - AMD, GMA News