PLAYING solidly for the third straight round, Dottie Ardina fired a 69 yesterday to wind up in a 13-way tie for 27th place at the close of the Shoprite LPGA Classic presented by Acer tournament in Galloway, New Jersey.
In a result that will undoubtedly give her a major boost in the Olympic women’s qualifying ratings, Ardina had three birdies against a lone bogey over the par-71, 6,190-yard Seaview Bay Course for her best finish on the US LPGA tour so far this year.
The 2009 Laos Southeast Asian Games gold medalist pocketed $12,687 (around P745,989) after finishing eight shots behind Swedish champion Linnea Strom, who was smoking hot with a tournament record 11-under 60-199 in the final round to seal a one-shot win over Japan’s Ayaka Furue (65-200).
Down seven strokes entering the final round of the 54-hole event, Strom highlighted her bogeyless round with a chip-in eagle on the par 5 ninth hole that proved to be crucial in the Swede’s first LPGA tour title, worth $262,500 (P15.483 million).
The strong stint of Ardina, 30, will likely enhance her prospects of finally making her Olympic debut in Paris for the country since she is currently ranked 55th in the Olympic women’s ratings with the cut-off two weeks away on June 24.
The top 60 in the women’s ratings are eligible to see action in the quadrennial sports showcase where the Philippines will celebrate its centennial participation.
Ardina had qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games but decided to skip the opportunity due to the zika virus that hit Brazil during that time.
