The Philippines’ Cyna Rodriguez birdied three of the first six holes on her homeward nine to salvage another one-under-par 71 on Thursday and move up to joint 18th after 36 holes of the final LPGA Qualifying School at the LPGA International Course in Florida.
Rodriguez, who started at the 10th hole, went out with a 37 but made amends coming in with a 34. She could have risen to joint 10th if not for a bogey on the par-5 No. 8.
China’s Feng Simin shot a 70 and South Korea’s Julie Yang carded a 69 to share the lead with 135s, seven up on Rodriguez, the three-time ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion, who is seeking one of the 20 berths at stake for next year’s LPGA Tour in the 90-hole competition.
But Rodriguez’s compatriot Dottie Ardina struggled to a four-over 76 at the Hills course and slipped to a share of 95th spot at 148.
The 21st to 45th players will earn conditional status in the Tour proper.
Erstwhile co-leader Chrsitine Song of the United States fell to solo third with a 136 after a 71 at the Hills course while Cydney Clanton, also of the US, shot a 70 for fourth at 137.
Rodriguez and Ardina are trying to become the next Filipinos on the Tour after Jennifer Rosales.