RP 2nd in Sirikit Cup; Ardina 3rd

STA. Rosa, Laguna – The young Philippine side battling Asia-Pacific’s best in the 29th Queen Sirikit Cup held its own yesterday and finished second behind powerhouse Korea at The Country Club here.

Dottie Ardina signed for a two-over-par 74, but it was enough to tow the hosts to a 54-hole 434 tally, two-over at the tree-lined course for the country’s best-ever finish in the annual event also known as the Asia-Pacific Ladies team golf championship.

Ardina gunned down six birdies on her trip home, salvaging that card that enabled the Filipinos to overhaul a three-shot overnight deficit to Japan at the start of the day to finish 20 shots behind eventual champion Korea.

Long-hitting Regina de Guzman also submitted a 74 that made up the Philippine team’s final day 148. Crystal Superal failed to count for the third straight day with an 85.

The Koreans never let up as Ryu So-yeon churned out a 68 and Choi He-yong a 73 to run away with the team title with an 18-under 414.

The 17-year-old Ryu also won the individual title pulling away, handily dispatching off Choi, who failed to crack par for just the first time in three days.

"I am very proud of how the girls played today," said non-playing RP skipper Cora Suntay. "Despite their youth and even if they were playing against much older foes, they never cracked under pressure."

Ardina and Co. bettered a third place finish that a squad made up of Mary Grace Estuesta, Lina de Guzman and Yvette de Leon chalked up, also under Suntay, in the late 1980s.

The 13-year-old Ardina also became the highest-placed Filipina ever with her third place finish behind the Koreans in individual play.

The 54-hole event was backed by Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, ICTSI, San Miguel, Pagcor, PCSO, PSC, Comworks, Bancom, TNT Express, Pacsports, Electrobus Consolidated/Callaway, Department of Tourism and Creative Synergy.