Yuka, Bianca, Dottie make final round

MANILA, Philippines, October 4 ------ Yuka Saso closed her round with an eagle to salvage a one-under-par 70 and tow two other Filipinas into the final round of the 54-hole ShopRite LPGA Classic yesterday (Manila time) in Galloway, New Jersey. Reigning US Women’s Open champ Saso, who opened with a 67, slipped five places to joint 16th at five-under 137, trailing new leaders Jin Young Ko and Inbee Park of Korea by six shots. The 20-year-old Saso had a roller-coaster outing of four birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey before she holed in her eagle on the par-5 18th to finish one-under for the day.

Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina matched Saso’s 70 at Seaview’s Bay Course to qualify for the last day of action in the $1.75-million event. Pagdanganan birdied No. 9, her last hole, to preserve a one-under for the round and three-under 139 for the tournament, good for a share of 32nd. Like Saso, Ardina eagled No. 18 which helped her make the cut on the dot at one-under 141. She occupied joint 62nd.

World No. 2 Ko and No. 3 Park fired identical 65s to share a two-shot lead at 11-under 131 against Thai star Patty Tavatanakit, who also carded 65 for 133.

Source: philstar.com