Ardina shoots 67, trails leader by three

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Dottie Ardina shot a four-under 67 to share ninth place after the first round of the 54-hole ShopRite LPGA Classic Friday in Galloway, New Jersey.

Starting at the back, Ardina gunned down birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 then recovered from a bogey mishap on No. 13 by firing three more birdies the rest of the way to run in contention early in the $1.75-million event.

Ardina, who was joined at No. 9 by American Laura Hartlage, Danish Nanna Madsen and Korean Hyo Joo Kim, trailed Swedish leader Dani Holmqvist (64) by three going into Saturday’s penultimate round.

Holmqvist turned in a bogey-free round built around an eagle and five birdies to take pole position and a one-stroke lead versus Chinese Yan Liu and Korean Jenny Shin, who opened with identical 65s.

American Sarah Schmelzel, Korean Soo Bin Joo, English Georgia Hall, Swedish Anna Nordqvist and South African Paula Reto sit a shot back at 66 and held fourth to eighth spots ahead of Ardina and Co.

The other Filipina ace, Bianca Pagdanganan, mixed four birdies with four bogeys for an even 71 that placed her at joint 53rd.