Pandemic stymies Dottie’s bid

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino lady pro Dottie Ardina made an impressive stint in Australia early in the year in a well-laid out bid to improve her LPGA status and prepare for the coming season.

But the COVID-19 pandemic descended on a global scale and stymied all of Ardina’s plan.

With the LPGA season nearly cut in half, Ardina stayed safe at home, maintained a regular workout schedule and helped design a modest house she’s building on her earnings for her parents in Laguna.

“It’s the least I could do for them,” she said.

The 26-year-old ICTSI- backed Ardina pulled off prominent finishes – three in playoffs – in the Australian tour which earned her berths in two majors in the ALPGA Australian Open in Royal Adelaide GC and the Vic Open in 13th Beach layout in Victoria.

She made the cut in both events, tied for 48th in the Australian Open and joint 20th in the Vic Open, ensuring her return trip to these tournaments next year.

These impressive finishes also sent Ardina to the “reshuffle category “ in the LPGA Players standings for regular members and could have restored her into “full card” status.

A number of major events inAustralia offers LPGA points in players eligibility that could boost their bid for full card via the “back door” Down Under.

At present, she’s in category 8 list for “partial” card holders.

But the LPGA decided to shelve the category due to lack of tournaments caused by the pandemic.

“Sayang. But it’s a good start and if ever the tour is held, I will try to do what I did early this year. Play good and earn money,” she said.

Ardina regained her regular LPGA card with a brilliant run of five runner-up finishes in the 2018 Symetra Tour, losing the No. 1 post on the very last leg of the event.

But woeful outings in the recently concluded season opened insinuations that the Canlubang ace has lost her LPGA card with attention being shifted to the side of rookie sensation Bianca Pagdanganan.

“I am a regular LPGA member card holder,” she said.

Meanwhile, she remains upbeat on her chances of making the national team to the Tokyo Olympics. She and rookie pro Yuka Saso are the only aspirants with Olympic rankings at the moment.

“Hopefully I make it,” Ardina said.