Ardina’s 65 powers RP to 4th spot

DOTTIE ARDINA pulled off a near-perfect game as the Philippines surged to its best ever ranking at solo fourth with a  nine-under 279 in the World Amateur Golf Team Championships in Argentina Thursday.   Ardina fired a bogey-free seven under par 65 in the Buenos Aires Golf Club course in a performance that also propelled her from 33rd to a share of fifth with a 138 in the individual race.    “She played excellent golf, her all-around game was close to being perfect,” said RP and ICTSI team coach Bong Lopez.   The Philippines pooled a nine-under 135 with Chihiro Ikeda adding a two-under 70.   Mia Piccio struggled with a 73 after leading the RP Team in the first round with a one-under 71.   Ardina, a former Junior World champion, rammed in seven  birdies sparked by a 20-footer on No. 4 and capped by superb approach shot on the 18th that stopped within four feet.   Korea fired a record-setting 16-under-par 128, also at the BAGC, for a 15-under 273, one stroke ahead of first round leader USA, which had a 274 after a 138 while Germany matched RP’s 135 for third at 277.   The Koreans shattered the record for a single-round of 134 set by the US in the second round in 1998 as Jee-Hi Kim shot a nine-under 63, also a new mark, and Jung-Eun Han added a 65.   Action heads back to the Olivos course for the third round on Friday.