Ardina clings on to one-shot lead

SAN DIEGO - Dottie Ardina of the Philippines swung a spectacular wedge shot that set her up for a tap-in par on 18th hole to stay on top by a stroke in the Class E division (8 years and under) of the 35th Callaway Junior World golf championships.

The eight-year-old Ardina lost seven strokes to par in a horrendous back nine breakdown at the pitch-and-putt Presidio course. But she made the shot she needed to keep a steady Colombian and a charging Guamanian at bay. Ardina’s nine-over-par 63 enabled Hawaii’s Kelli Oride to close the gap. The third grader at the Child Jesus Academy in Cabuyao, Laguna, finished 36 holes at 119 while Oride scored another 60 for 120. Sally Kim of Guam (57) was third at 121.

The second RP entry in Class E, Katrina Potenciano, remained in contention with a 62-126 that left her tied for seventh with two others. Except for Mikee Camitoc in boys Class C, the other players in the lower divisions of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines contingent supported by Philippine Airlines, adidas Taylor Made and Pisanti were eliminated. Camitoc scored a 63 for 127 but was way off the lead.