By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
In what could be her hottest start in years, Dottie Ardina fired a 6-under-par 66 to secure a share of second place at the start of the Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The 29-year-old Ardina gunned down seven birdies against only one bogey – on the par-5 12th – to trail early leader Liu Ruixin by one stroke.
So impressive was Ardina inside the green that she needed only 28 putts to produce one of her best rounds in the tour. She highlighted her round with four straight birdies starting on hole No. 7.
She is tied with Linnea Strom, Chien Peiyun and Elizabeth Szokol.
Liu, likewise, banked on her hot putter, needing only 27 putts to grab the first-round lead with a bogey-free 65.
Fil-Japanese Yuka Saso found herself in a big group at 21st place after shooting a 69 in a round spiked by 5 birdies against two bogeys.
Bianca Pagdanganan will need a big recovery after struggling with a 73 for a share of 88th.
The Tokyo Olympian limped home with three bogeys – all from the front nine – against two birdies.
Ardina seeks to sustain her hot start when she tees off at the back nine in the second round at 7:30 a.m. (US time) with Jaravee Boonchant and Sarah Kemp, while Yuka Saso starts at 8:14 a.m. with Matilda Castren and Paula Reto.
Pagdanganan will also start at the back nine at 12:30 p.m. with Polly Mack and Lauren Hartlage.
