Bianca-Dottie team bows out

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine duo Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina rebounded with a four-under 66 but still got the boot in the Dow Championship Friday in Midland, Michigan.

After a shaky opening of 76 in the foursomes, Paris-bound golfers Pagdanganan and Ardina improved with a 33-33 card in the four-ball highlighted by five birdies against a lone bogey.

But at two-over 142 overall, the Pinay aces fell nine strokes short of the seven-under 133 halfway cutline.

They finished in a tie for 69th in the $3-million team competition featuring alternating rounds of foursomes (alternate shot) and four-ball (best ball).

While the Filipinas were unsuccessful, Fil-Japanese Yuka Saso and her French partner Celine Boutier fired a tournament four-ball scoring record-tying 58 after a disappointing 74 to make it through at 132.

Reigning US Women’s Open titlist Saso and Boutier complemented each other’s flawless performance en route to 12 birdies for the day.