MANILA, Philippines — Dottie Ardina left for the US the other day, ready to re-launch her campaign in a cutthroat battle for top honors and Olympic ranking points with the LPGA and Symetra Tour calendars reduced in half due to global health crisis.
The 26-year-old Canlubang pro expects to land a spot in the 144-player field in the first LPGA event in four months following the coronavirus pandemic – the LPGA Drive On Championship, a $1 million, 54-hole tournament firing off July 31 at the par-71 Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.
The event, which will be played without sponsors, a pro-am and spectators, is actually the first of back-to-back LPGA tournaments in Ohio with the Marathon Classic, offering a richer purse of $2 million over four days, slated on Aug. 6-9 at the Highland Meadow Golf Club in Sylvania.
The LPGA is actually keeping the rosters in both events under wraps but Ardina is confident of making it to the twin tournaments, raring to slug it out with the elite field all hungry for recognition and itching to showcase their form coming off a long four-month break due to the pandemic.
Holder of a regular LPGA card, the ICTSI-backed shotmaker is also expected to compete in the Symetra Tour which will also re-open shop next week with the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship at the Battle Creek Country Club in Michigan slated July 24-26.
Like Ardina, 2019 SEA Games double gold medalist Bianca Pagdanganan is also eyeing a spot in Ohio.