Dottie goes up by five with 71

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina used a solid frontside to salvage a one-under 71 in tough playing condition as she pulled away by five strokes over ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda halfway through the Thailand Amateur Open in Bangkok late Wednesday.

Ardina, who wrested control with a 69 Tuesday, birdied Nos. 4 and 7 to cushion the impact of her shaky three-bogey, two-birdie stint at the back for a 34-37 card and a four-under 140 aggregate at the challenging Panya Indra Golf Club layout.

Her back-to-back under par rounds gave Ardina a five-shot lead over Ikeda, who wavered with a two-over 74 after a 71 for a 145 in a tie with Asama McKenzie, who fought back with a gutsy 72 while Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras limped home with a 76 and dropped to fourth with a 147.

Defending champion Yupaporn Kawinpakorn rebounded with a 73 after a 75 but remained eight shots off the 17-year-old Ardina heading into the last 36 holes of the annual event serving as part of the national team’s buildup for next month’s SEA Games.

“I feel good and confident of my chances. But I need to polish my putting stroke to win here,” said Ardina, who also won the Malaysian Juniors crown last month.

The top ICTSI bet and Ikeda will head the country’s title-retention bid in team play in the biennial meet together with Philippine Amateur Open champion Andie Unson with Jayvie Agogo, who scored a double victory in the recent Hong Kong Ladies Am Open, as alternate.

Sarah Ababa, meanwhile, struggled with a 78 and slid to 152 while Lovelynn Guioguio bounced back with a 71 after an 83 for a 154.

In men’s play, Lloyd Go hardly improved with a 76 after a 75 for a 151 and fell 14 strokes off Myanmar’s Maung Maung Oo, who grabbed the lead with a 69 for a 137, one shot ahead of erstwhile leadery Natipong Srithong of Thailand, who had a 138 after a 71.

Raymond Jaraula rallied with a 35 at the back and carded a 74 for a 153, 16 shots off the lead.