Dottie Ardina birdied her last two holes on the way to a solid four-under 67, leaving her just four strokes of newly-crowned US Women’s Open champion Lee Jeong-eun and Thai Pornanong Phatlum at the start of the Shoprite LPGA Classic on Friday at the Seaview Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey.
In what could be her best start since turning pro five years ago, the 5-foot-1 Ardina gunned down five birdies against a lone bogey to make quite an impression in the prestigious event.
She used her power off the tee to birdie two of three par-5s, including the 18th hole. After birdying the par-5 No. 3, she went 2-under with another birdie on No. 5. She bogeyed the par-3 11th but recoevered with a birdie on the 13th.
The highlight of Lee’s round was a sensational eagle three at the par five third hole, her 12th hole of the day, which took her to six under. Back-to-back birdies on the closing two holes handed her a share of the lead.
