Ardina blazes way to solo sixth

MANILA, Philippines, June 28 ------ Dottie Ardina vaulted into solo sixth in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after firing a four-under par 68 yesterday at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia.

Taking the spotlight from reigning US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso who foundered with a three-over 75, Ardina produced a bogey-free round of 35-33 to boost her shot at a first career Top 10 finish in the LPGA. Ardina, who debuted in the tour in 2014, is at eight-under 208 for the tournament, seven shots behind American pacesetters Nelly Korda (68) and Lizette Salas (67) going to the last 18 holes. The 27-year-old Canlubang star is two adrift of French Celine Boutier (69), Italian Guila Molinaro (66) and Thai Patty Tavatanakit (65), who occupy third to fifth spots.

Saso, who has been struggling in her first tournament since her US Women’s Open triumph, limped with two birdies against a double-bogey and three bogeys in the penultimate round to slip to joint 42nd. The Fil-Japanese ace is 17 shots behind the leaders.

After opening with back-to-back 70s, Ardina turned in her best performance in the $4.5 million major championship. Powering up her drive to 267 yards off the tee, Ardina hit all but one of the 14 fairways and made 15 of 18 greens in regulation, needing only 29 putts. She rolled in birdies on Nos. 4, 13, 14 and 16 to cement her position inside the Top 10.

Source: philstar.com