Dottie Ardina and amateur Princess Superal shot identical three-under 69s to trail Korean Gi Ppeumlee by one at the start of the third Thailand Singha-Sat LPGA Championship at Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club in Thailand late Tuesday.
Ardina, priming up for the Symetra Tour and some legs on the LPGA circuit, shot five birdies against two bogeys while the reigning Southeast Games winner Superal hit three birdies in a six-hole stretch from No. 9.
Ppeumlee flashed top form and tamed the par-72, 6,350-yard layout with four birdies as she completed a bogey-free round of 68 to grab the early lead.
Joining Ardina and Superal in second are local bets Rungthiwa Pangjan, Junthima Gulyanamitta and Porani Chutichai.
Cyna Rodriguez, also gearing up for the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, birdied three of her last five holes to shoot a 70 and lead a bunch of two-under par scorers.
Pauline del Rosario, reigning Junior World champion (13-14) and Superal’s teammate in the ICTSI stable, matched par 72 while Mia Piccio struggled with a four-over 76 and Chihiro Ikeda skied to a 77.