New Delhi, March 11: Filipina Dottie Ardina upstaged the Korean favourite and defending champion Hyo Joo Kim, even as Gauri Monga had the local fans spellbound with the best-ever finish by an Indian individual in the history of Queen Sirikit Cup Golf presented by Usha International. In the end, Gauri, despite her stunning 20-foot birdie on the 18th lost out the third place on count back as Korean Ji Hee Kim birdied the 17th and parred the 18th for a 69, while Gauri had a 70. Both totaled three-under 213.
Ahead of them, Dottie Ardina in a dramatic finish over the last six holes, took the title by one shot. Ardina shot 70 and totaled 211, one ahead of Hyo Joo Kim who had 212 with rounds of 69, 69 and 74. Ji Hee Kim and Gauri Monga totaled 213. Monga had rounds of 73, 70 and 70, while Ji Hee Kim had rounds of 76, 68 and 69.
The Koreans (425) retained the title for the fifth time in succession, while Philippines (429) were second. China (441) were third, beating hosts Indian (442) by one shot.
Gauri, starting the day in tied third kept her nerve to birdie the 18th after going into the bunker to stay tied third. It was the first-ever top-3 finish by an Indian golfer in Queen Sirikit Cup’s 33-year-long history.
“The unfortunate double bogey on the ninth cost me dear,” said the 17-year-old Gauri, who had her best international outing. “I am happy with the way I played. I missed some close putts and then after a great first eight holes, during which I had three birdies, I dropped two shots on ninth.”
“It was such a big relief after three tense days. It is a difficult course and I tried to hit straight as I am not a long hitter,” said Ardina.
“It was a tense finish and I am glad I came through,” added the 17-year-old Ardina, who trains at the David Leadbetter Schools in Florida since 2008. “I played the Queen Sirikit Cup in 2007 and then I could not come for the event, because it clashed with school in US. This year I skipped the first semester and came over. I am glad I held by my cool and won. Hyo is a very good player, but it was my day.”
Hyo, who was three shots clear after two rounds, was four shots ahead after the 12th, which she double bogeyed. Then Ardina birdied the 13th and 14th with 10-foot and three foot putts. Hyo parred the 13th and bogeyed the 14th. That suddenly narrowed the lead to just one at the 15th.
Ardina parred the 16th, while a tense Hyo double bogeyed the hole to fall one back for the first time in the tournament and that is how the standings stayed with both parring the 16th and 17th and then both got birdies on the last.
The Indonesian team couldn't hold on to their 7th place after 2 rounds, finishing at a shared 9th with Thailand and Australia with a total score of 455. Best individual result was 13th place for Juriah with a total score of 226 (75-73-78).
Final scores of leading players after third and final round at 33rd Queen Sirikit Cup golf at Delhi Golf Club:
211: Dottie Ardina (Phi) (71-70-70),
212: Hyo Joo Kim (Kor) (69-69-74)
213: Ji Hee Kim (Kor) (76-68-69)
213: Gauri Monga (Ind) (73-70-70)
218: Cecilia Cho (NZL) (76-71-71)
Indonesian players:
Juriah: 226 (75-73-78) 13th place
Gianti Mahardika: 237 (86-77-74) 31th place
Cicilia Chudivan: 239 (78-83-78) 34th place
Teams: (Two best scores counted for each day)
425: Korea (Hyo Joo Kim, Ji Hee Kim and In Gee Chun)
429: Philippines (Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Marie Agojo and Chihero Ikeda)
441: China (Feng Simin, Yan Jing and Lin Xiyu)
442: India (Gauri Monga, Vani Kapoor and Aditi Ashok)
443: New Zealand (Cecelia Cho, Lydia Ko, Emily Perry)
448: Japan (Mamiko Higa, Eri Joma, Sakura Kito)
450: Chinese Taipei (Yi Chen Liu, Chi Wang, Chieh Lin Chiu)
453: Malaysia (Diana Tham, Aretha Pan, Nurul Saparudin)
455: Indonesia (Cicilia Chudivan, Gianti Mahardika, Juriah)
455: Thailand (Yupaporn Kawinprakorn, Jaruporn Aytthaya, Dolnapa Phudtipini)
455: Australia (Breanna Elliott, Ashley Ona, Jessica Speechley)
456: Singapore (Kok Jo Ee, Low Si Xuan, Koh Sock Hwee)
467: Hong Kong (Michelle Cheung, Mimi Ho, Tiana Gwenn Lau)
542: Sri Lanka (Dhanushi Senadhira, Nadine Jayaratne)
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