Dottie Ardina’s second round proves she belongs at Paris Olympics

If there is any doubt that Dottie Ardina deserves playing in the Paris Olympics, the tiny bundle of talent on Thursday put them all to rest with a performance that spoke for itself.

The Canlubang, Laguna native, who has for years been trying to earn an LPGA Tour card after a decorated amateur career, put together a brilliant even-par 72 in the second round of women’s golf competition to be in the middle of the 60-strong pack that is as talented as a field can get.

“Today’s a better day,” Ardina told One Sports after shooting two birdies on the back nine that rescued her round for a 148 aggregate, certainly a mile away from the pacesetting 136 of Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux but more than enough to validate her participation at Le Golf National.

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“I still have 36 holes left (to play, and) anything can (still) happen,” she went on as she starts the third round carrying a tally that’s better than established tour stars like Carlota Ciganda of Spain, who is at 151 like two-time US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso of Japan.

Ciganda ballooned to a 78 on a trying second day which saw the fancied Nelly Korda drop five strokes in a two-hole span to settle for a 70 and overnight leader Celine Boutier make a mess of her back nine on the way to a 76.

Saso, who played as a Filipino in Tokyo 2020, followed up a 77 with a 74, effectively outplayed by Ardina.

Ardina is actually tied with former British Open champion Georgia Hall and is just one shot off multiple major winner Brooke Henderson of Canada and the talented Hannah Green of Australia.

“I think the key was that I managed my game better (in the second round),” she said when asked what the difference was when she opened with a 76 on Wednesday.

“Hopefully, (I get a) better score (in the third round). I’ll just play my game, take it hole by hole,” she said.