Jungolfers lose title bids

SAN DIEGO – There were no last day heroics for Dottie Ardina and Marcela Puyat as both struggled early and bungled their championship bids in the 15-17 years division of the Callaway Junior World golf championships at the Torrey Pines courses here Friday (Saturday in Manila).

Ardina could only score a double-bogey marred one-over-par 75 and settled for sixth place with a 295 total, 10 shots offf eventual champion Jang Ha-na of Korea.

Cyna Rodriguez fired a two-under 72 but her rally came too late and the former 13-14 years winner wrapped up her Junior World career by placing 13th with a 298 total.

Just three shots off the leader at the start of the day, Puyat had a horrible five-over-par 77 for 296 and a share of ninth place.

Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, who attends the David Leadbetter Academy in Florida like Puyat and Ardina, won the crown with a 68-296.

Edward Reyes scored a 90 and wound up dead-last among the boys.

The Philippine contingent finished with one title courtesy of Arlene Salvador in the girls 6-under, a second place trophy in the girls 9-10 won by Pauline del Rosario, a third place windup by Marvi Monsalve in the girls 13-14 and fourth-place showings by Miguel Tabuena (boys 13-14) and Philippe Winsett-Palanca (boys 7-8).

“It’s something to be proud of, we had close misses and the nine trophies the kids are bringing home is proof that they can compete against the best in the world,” said delegation head Gerry Handog.