Twelve-year-old Filipina sensation Dottie Ardina became the youngest winner in the history of the Hong Kong Ladies' Open Amateur Championship at Discovery Bay Golf Club yesterday, triumphing by two shots over compatriots Carmelette Villaroman and Cyna Maria Rodriguez and Thai Chayuda Singhsuwan. The pint-sized Ardina, who shot to prominence in June following victory in the 11-12 age division at the world junior championship in San Diego, wasn't at her best during a final round of 79, which gave her a three-round total of four-over-par 220. But as her challengers folded over the closing holes, she held on for a comfortable win. Despite outplaying the rest of the field over the course of the three-day tournament, the Manila native wasn't overjoyed with her final round. 'I'm happy I won because Hong Kong is a big event, but I didn't play well in the last round; too many bogeys and my putting was bad,' Ardina said. Still, she smiled when recounting her round of 69 on Thursday - the lowest score of the week. 'That's where I won this tournament. My short game was great and I managed to make six birdies after getting off to a tough start,' she said. With this triumph, Ardina, who was introduced to the game by her golf pro father at the age of four and counts LPGA star Jennifer Rosales as a close friend, cements her place in the Philippine national team for the world amateur team championship - the Espirito Santos Trophy in South Africa at the end of the month. Fifteen-year-old Ginger Mak Jun-ki was the best local finisher, with a total of 228, two ahead of twin sister Demi Mak Jun-wi.
