Sirikit Cuppers wind up fourth; Ardina injured

SINGAPORE—Dottie Ardina, hobbled by an injured foot, failed to sustain a strong start yesterday as Team ICTSI-Philippines submitted its worst score of 150 to finish fourth in the Queen Sirikit Cup dominated by South Korea for the sixth straight year.

Ardina slipped on the carpeted stairway of the Tanah Merah Country Club and injured her right foot. She decided to play and went on to hit two birdies in the first five holes before the pain eventually ruined her game and left her with a 76 in the end.

With Lovelynn Guioguio turning in a 74, the Filipinos, who started the day in second place, finished the 54-hole championship with a 444 total. Jayvie Agojo, the third PH bet, didn’t count with a 78.

New Zealand was second with 143-438  and Australia settled for third with 148-440.

South Korea, led by Kim Hyo-joo, finished at 413 in repeating as team champion.  Kim, beaten by Ardina for the individual title last year, won this time with a 12-under 204.

The ICTSI-backed golfers, however, emerged as the top team from Southeast Asia, nipping rival Malaysia (144-445) by one.

“I told her that she could quit if it hurts but she’s a fighter and decided to play. But it’s nothing serious, she’ll be OK,” said ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez of Ardina, who is set to turn pro this year.

Ardina, who beat Hyo by two to claim the individual crown in India last year, also finished  ninth in individual play with a 223 while Agojo ended up 13th (225) and Guioguio had 231 for 21st in the 39-player field.