Ardina tries to convert on best shot at first LPGA win
Dottie Ardina fired a four-under-par 67 on Saturday to trail South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai by just a stroke heading into the final round of the LPGA NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club as the Filipino put herself in the best position for a breakthrough win.
The pint-sized Canlubang native, with a 36-hole 132 aggregate, will play in the final group of an LPGA event for the first time in her career as she knocks on the door of the biggest win of an 11-year pro career.
She will be chasing Buhai, the burly South African who also returned a second round 68 even as a chasing field made up of a number of major winners will also be making a final round move, counting Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, the former US Women’s Open champion who is just two shots behind after a 66.
“I felt I played just as well as yesterday. Obviously the winds were a little trickier than yesterday morning for us, so kind of faded out for everybody,” said Buhai, who signed for a double bogey on No. 8 to settle for the one-shot lead.
“Made a silly double bogey, but at least I kept calm and just reminded myself to keep doing what I was doing, and finally got rewarded down the last few holes,” Buhai said.
Buhai battled back injuries and a broken toe—playing the Paris Olympics with a piece of one shoe cut away because of her toe trouble.
Ardina had her battles in Paris as well, as the uniform controversy with the National Golf Association of the Philippines dominated social media back home.
The 30-year-old went on to finish in a tie for 13th spot in France, beating such luminaries as Nelly Korda, Yuka Saso, Celine Boutier, among others.
