Ardina sizzles early, rallies late to stay in Copper Rock hunt

MANILA, Philippines -- Dottie Ardina leaned on a blistering start and a strong finishing kick to shoot a six-under-par 66, keeping her bid for a second Copper Rock Championship crown very much alive in Hurricane, Utah on Friday (Saturday Manila time).

The gutsy Filipina, who ruled this Epson Tour event in 2022, surged into solo fourth at 11-under 133, just two strokes behind joint leaders Melanie Green and Hailee Cooper.

Ardina came out swinging with a four-birdie barrage in her first five holes at the Copper Rock Golf Course, rocketing to the top of the leaderboard early in the day. Despite running into mid-round turbulence, she rallied with a late birdie spree to post nines of 32-34 and position herself within striking distance heading into the weekend of the $400,000 Epson Tour event.

Green mounted a furious charge in the afternoon wave, putting up a fiery bogey-free 64 to tie Cooper, who earlier returned a 68, for the 36-hole lead at 13-under 131.

Spain’s Carla Tejedo Mulet also stayed in contention with a strong 67, grabbing solo third at 132, ensuring a tight and tense battle into the weekend with multiple players in the title mix.

After her blazing start, Ardina dropped a shot on the par-3 seventh but quickly regained it with a birdie on No. 9. Another bogey on the 10th briefly slowed her momentum, but the Paris Olympian stayed composed and birdied Nos. 12, 14 and 16 to cap a resilient surge on the back nine.

A steady presence on the Epson Tour and backed by ICTSI, Ardina is aiming to capture her second career title after a rollercoaster run in this tournament since her 2022 triumph. She tied for 29th in 2023 and missed the cut last year but now appears rejuvenated and ready to contend again.

Although not known for overpowering distance off the tee, Ardina expertly utilized her hybrid clubs to birdie all four par-5 holes. She also showcased pinpoint approach play, picking up additional birdies on three par-4s.

However, the rest of the Filipino contingent saw their bids unravel in the pressure-packed second round.

Two-time Epson Tour champion Clariss Guce delivered a courageous fightback, carding a 68 to rebound from an opening 77. Sitting one stroke above the projected cutline with just one hole to play, Guce faltered under pressure and bogeyed the 18th, missing the cut at 145 by a single stroke.

Sam Bruce, who opened with a promising 69 to sit inside the top 15, stumbled to a disastrous 76. She struggled mightily on the front nine with a 41, bogeying four of the first seven holes. A modest recovery on the back nine wasn’t enough as she, too, finished at 145.

Tomi Arejola couldn’t gain ground either, stumbling to a 75 for a 147 total. Pauline del Rosario also saw her campaign collapse, following up a decent 71 with a disappointing 78 to finish with a 149.

With Ardina the lone Filipina survivor into the weekend rounds, all eyes will be on the seasoned pro as she looks to cap a spirited comeback and write another chapter in her Copper Rock Championship story.

But with a tightly packed leaderboard and a host of contenders closing in, Ardina will need more than just talent, experience and momentum – she’ll need steely nerves and flawless execution to reclaim the championship Sunday.