Dottie late surge bucks Guioguio; Piccio rallies

ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Dottie Ardina knocked down three birdies in the last five holes and hung onto a one-shot lead over Lovelyn Guioguio after the second round of the ICTSI Valley Golf Ladies Challenge at the Valley Golf Club Executive Course here yesterday.

Ardina birdied the 14th, 16th and 17th holes from inside 10 feet to salvage a two-under-par 70 and buck the hot charges of Guioguio and fellow LPGA full card hopeful Mia Piccio in this round starting under rains.

The well-built Ardina sports a five-under total of 139, a shot up on Guioguio (69-140) and three up on Piccio (66-142) before the final round of the P500,000 tournament sponsored by International Container Terminal Services Inc. today.

“The greens became slower because of the rain. I will try to hit it closer to the pin tomorrow,” said Ardina, looking for a local tour triumph on her break in the lucrative US women’s tour. 

Guioguio, a former ICTSI bet who was two off the pace after the first round, actually spurted ahead, going three up on Ardina on a burst of four birdies in the first 13 holes.

The Bukidnon native, however, blew two precious shots as she hit the bunker then three-putted from a two-pin-length distance in the par-3 11th.

She birdied the par-5 13th and closed out with a 69, thus, playing the challenger’s role in the final round together with Piccio who, after a fat first round of 76, rallied with a six-under 66 to be a third, three shots behind Ardina.

Piccio should have been closer if not over-hitting her second shot and landing on the bunker in the final hole for her lone bogey against seven birdies.

“I’m hitting well. I will continue to play my game and see what happens,” said Piccio.

Order of Merit leader Cyna Rodriguez submitted the day’s other under-par score – a three-under 69 – to go even at fourth place after 36 holes.

Thai Amolkan Phalajivin shot an even 72 for fifth place at 145, followed by Jayvie Agojo and amateur Sofia Chabon who fired 72 and 74, respectively, for 146s.

“Joke-time yung putting ko,” said Ardina, again ruing missed bogey opportunities.

The bubbly Canlubang shotmaker three-putted the par-3 eighth hole for a bogey then hit the greenside bunker of hole No. 10 for another bogey.

“Three down nako kay Lovelyn doon. But I told myself I still can finish under in the round with eight holes to go,” said Ardina.

She blazed home with three birdies from the 14th, thus, staying on top with a good prospect of adding another ICTSI title in her bulging treasure chest.