Ardina puts on strong finish

MANILA, Philippines — Dottie Ardina closed out with flourish, going three-under in the last four holes to salvage an even-par 72 and finish tied at 20th in the ISPS Handa Vic Open won by Hee Young Park in an all-Korean playoff that took four extra holes at the 13th Beach Golf Links in Victoria, Australia yesterday.

Heading for last among the 40 players who survived the 54-hole cut Saturday, Ardina overcame a three-bogey frontside start at the wind-raked beach course with a birdie on the par-4 15th then eagled the par-5 closing hole to save a 39-33 card and gain a share of 20th with five others, including erstwhile leader Swede Madelene Sagstrom, at 287.

The Canlubang pro, coming off a victory in the Ballarat Icons Pro-Am of the ALPG (Australian Ladies Professional Golf) Tour, opened with a 70 at the par-73 Creek course but like majority of the field, groped for form at the Beach side, finishing with 75 and 72 after a 70 in the second round.

Sagstrom, who kicked off her campaign with a 65 then held sway with a 67 in the second round, cracked when the going got tough, limping with 74-81 to bow out of the title hunt in the A$1.5 million event.

Ardina’s strong finish is expected to boost her confidence as she gears up for the last two events on this year’s ALPG – the Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville Golf Club on Feb. 20-23 and the Women’s NSW (New South Wales) Open at the Dubbo Golf Club on Feb. 27-March 1.

The ICTSI-backed Ardina is actually in pole position in the 2020 ALPG Club Car Series, finishing third in the ALPG Qualifying tournament, ending up 19th at the Windaroo Lakes GC ALPG Pro-Am, winding up seventh at the Findex Yamba Pro-Am, losing in a playoff at the Aoyuan International Moss Vale Pro-Am before escaping in a three-playoff at Ballarat to gain a 400-point lead over Celine Herbin heading to the Australian Ladies Classic.