Ardina grabs 2-stroke lead

Dottie Ardina moved on the threshold of a breakthrough victory in the Champion Infinity Philippine Ladies Open 2013 as she shot the day’s best score of 72 in severe conditions to gain a two-stroke lead over Thai Supamas Sangchan after the second round at Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City.

Bucking the strongs winds that sent the scores soaring, the top ICTSI-The Country Club bet, winner of last week’s Philippine Amateur, made three birdies against the same number of bogeys, including a three-putt miscue on No. 16.

Counting her 71 Wednesday, the 18-year-old Ardina, also the reigning Taiwan and Penang Am champion, pooled a 143 and moved closer to a first-ever title in the country’s premier ladies golf championship presented by Champion Infinity that has eluded her for years.

Out to foil Ardina’s bid in the event organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines were Supamas, who carded a 75 to assume the challenger’s role at 145, with  erstwhile second-running Michell Koh of Malaysia (76) and  another Thai Benyapa Niphatsophon (75) sharing third at 146.

Jayvie Agojo failed to sustain a fine 69 start with an 81 to slip to joint ninth at 150 with Suthavee Chanachai (76) and Shei Santiwiwatthanaphong (77) of Thailand and Pauline del Rosario (74).