Cyna, 6 other RP bets gain WWGA match play

MANILA, Philippines - Cyna Rodriguez sustained her fine form and shot a three-under 69 to gain the No. 2 seeding in the match play event of the 110th WWGA (Women’s Western Golf Association) National Amateur Championship at the Rochester Golf and Country Club in Rochester, Minnesota Tuesday.

Counting her opening 70, Rodriguez pooled a 139 and finished second to low medalist Amy Anderson of North Dakota, who matched the reigning RP Ladies Open champion’s 69 to top the 36-hole stroke play elims with a 137.

Six other members of the ICTSI golf club made it to the knockout stage although four will slug it out right in the first round.

“Cyna has been playing well but Dottie (Ardina) is struggling. But the match play is an entirely different kind of game. I just hope they hold sway along the way,” said ICTSI golf team coach Bong Lopez.

Mia Piccio finished fourth with a 144 after a second straight 72 while Andie Unson carded a 74 for a 147 for the No. 7 seed. Sarah Ababa wound up 18th with a 152 after a 75 while Ardina, last year’s runner-up, limped home with a 78 but safely made it at No. 20 with a 153.

Bambee de la Paz and Daniella Uy, who were below the cutoff line after a pair of 84s in the first round, fought back with 77 and 78 and finished 61st and 62nd, respectively, to advance.

But Uy will have Rodriguez as her opponent in the knockout phase while De la Paz battles Unson for a berth in the Last 32.

Ardina hopes to dish out a solid game against Katherine Hepler of Illinois, Ababa clashes with Taylor Schmidt of Canada while Piccio squares off with Grace Kingdom, also from Illinois.