DOTTIE Ardina took the cudgels for the struggling Philippine contingent with a bogey-free 4-under-par 68 Friday to grab a share of fifth place in the first round of the IOA Golf Classic in Florida.
Ardina looked comfortable on familiar grounds. It was here at the Alaqua Country Club three years ago when she lost a three-player playoff that would have given her a second Epson Tour title.
But she hopes to change the narrative with her strong start that put her just two shots behind co-leaders Gianna Clemente and Jennifer Elliot who both shot a 65 in the three-round Epson Tour event.
Ardina had three of her four birdies on the back nine to begin a strong start in the tournament which, however, could not be said of the other Filipino players in the field.
Pauline Del Rosario, who placed ninth in the Epson Tour opener , shot a 2-over-par 73 and was tied in 69th place along with Bianca Pagdanganan.
Clariss Guce had a 72 to tie for 50th, while Samantha Bruce scored an 84 and was near the bottom at 119th spot.
A US-based Filipino, Tomita Arejola, was tied for 34th after an even par 71.
Projected cut in the 120-player field is 1 over.
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