MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina blew a three-stroke lead after 11 holes as she hobbled with a one-over 73, enabling Thailand’s Panitta Yusabai to snatch the Optimist International Junior Golf crown with a 70 at the PGA National Golf and Resort at West Palm Beach in Florida Sunday.
Ardina fumbled with a double-bogey at the par-5 No. 12 then dropped another stroke on No. 16, negating a solid start of 34 that put her three shots clear off erstwhile leader Maria Torres of Puerto Rico and a charging Yusabai.
The Thai bet parred the first five holes at the back then pounced on a crucial two-shot swing at the par-4 16th which she birdied then matched the Filipina bet’s pars in the last two holes to clinch the win at 288.
Ardina wound up with a 289, annexing a second straight runner-up finish after another failed bid in last week’s US Girls Juniors Championship in Illinois.
Torres made a 75, tumbling down to third with a 290 while Daniela Darquela of Ecuador carded a 73 for fourth at 292.
Andie Unson shot a 71 to salvage joint fifth while teammate Sarah Ababa matched par 72 for 15th place at 302.