Ardina seeks LPGA redemption

MANILA, Philippines — A missed cut stint last week must’ve given Dottie Ardina ample time to recover her bearing and rhythm as the Canlubang pro now eyes a strong finish in this week’s Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio.

Two 78s in Drive On Championship at Inverness Club in Toledo marred Ardina’s attempt to reinforce her ranking in the “reshuffle category” in the LPGA Players standings for regular members but she’s doing her darnest best to turn that early exit into some kind of motivation in the $1.7 million event unfolding Thursday at the Highland Meadows Golf Club.

One of early bets to test the par-71 layout, Ardina hopes to finally put it all together, including iron play, recovery shots and short game that she failed to muster in the 54-hole Drive On tournament.

One thing going for her is she would have more chances to recover, with the Marathon Classic being a 72-hole event capping the back-to-back championships in Ohio marking the re-start of the world’s premier ladies circuit.

Ardina, however, will have to deal with the challenges the Highland Meadows offers, particularly after drawing a late tee-start at 2:10 p.m. with Americans Sarah Burnham and Lindsey Weaver.

She also will have to contend with an in-form and fired-up Danielle Kang of the US, who beat Celine Boutier of France by one to snare the Drive On crown.