Ardina fires record 65, ties for lead

MANILA, Philippines - Dottie Ardina sizzled in ideal playing condition and fired a record seven-under 65 as she battled back from seven strokes down to tie fancied Minjee Lee of Wales for the lead halfway through the Dunes Medal Golf Championship in Rye, Victoria, Australia Wednesday.

Ardina, who limped with a wind-blown five-over 77 in heavy rains in the first round Tuesday, turned in a flawless round in sunshine, hitting seven birdies inside seven feet, including five at the back capped by a 10-footer on the closing hole of the par-72 Dunes Golf Club layout.

That gave the spearhead of the ICTSI-The Country Club team a 65 and a 36-hole haul of 142 as she forced a three-way tie for the lead with Lee, winner of the Elvie Whitesides crown two weeks in Tasmania, and local bet Su Hyun Oh.

Lee, who shot a 70 in the first round, settled for an even par 72 while Oh carded a second straight 71 in the four-day championship.

Jayvie Agojo, the other ICTSI-backed bet in the fold, made a 75 and stood 10 shots adrift at 152.

“Dottie’s feeling good about her swing and played comfortable with the sun finally showing up compared to the adverse conditions in the first round,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez. “She’s been focusing on her putting and short game.”

A par-saving putt from 12 feet on No. 1 got Ardina going as the reigning Taiwan Amateur and Penang Open champion banged in back-to-back birdies from No. 4. She tapped in for birdie on the 10th then rammed in a 10-footer on the 12th, a 15-footer on the 15th, a six-footer on No. 14 before finishing with another 10 footer.

She, however, will have her hands full in the third round with Lee and Oh, who are both of Korean descent but are now Australian citizens, as her playing partners.