Ardina wrests lead despite 76

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina primed up for her third straight win on the Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) as she grabbed the lead in the Terra Lago Open despite a four-over par 76 at the Golf Club at Terra Lago in North-Indio California Saturday.

Ardina, who romped away with victories in the Eagle Creek Open in October and the Plantation Inn Open last month, both in Florida, made two birdies but fumbled with four bogeys and one double-bogey under tough playing conditions at the par-72 layout.

But that proved enough for the long-hitting 15-year-old shotmaker, one of the ICTSI golf scholars, to gain the upperhand in the 36-hole tournament for girls 13-18 bracket. She had a one-shot lead over Kendall Prince of Oregon, who carded a 77 and two ahead of Cecille Krefting of Norway, who had a 78.

Nicole Zhang of Canada stayed within striking distance with a 79 while Sarah Ababa, another ICTSI golf scholar who finished third in the San Ramon Open of the FCWT two weeks ago, faltered with a 40 at the back and wound up with an 80.

Ardina dropped two shots early when she double-bogeyed No. 3, made a bogey on the next and went on a roller-coaster round with birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey stints on the next four holes before closing out with another bogey on No. 18 for that 39-37 card.

Still, she took the lead as the rest of the field struggled with their respective games with Ardina moving closer to annexing an FCWT title this time on the West Coast.

But she is expected to face a slew of rivals, including Prince, runner-up at San Ramon Open, Krefting and Zhang, who has had two second place finishes in the season.