ARKANSAS — Dottie Ardina bounced back from her faulty opening round, firing a two-under-par 70 on Saturday to tie for 13th place going into the final round of the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout at Mystic Creek Golf Club.
The 29-year-old Filipina is seven shots behind the leader, American Karen Chung, who fired a 67 for a nine-under par 135 total.
Ardina, who shared 17th place here last year, hit birdies at the par-4 8th and the par-5 18th, hitting 13 fairways and 18 greens in regulation.
Another Filipinas Clariss Guce is tied for 40 after a 72. The last year’s shared third-place hit a 74 on opening day.
Three players were able to post a score of 67 or better, and only five players were able to break 70 on the day.
Chung was one of the three players that carded a round of 67 or better, with a 5-under bogey-free round of 67. Chung has been rounding into form in her last two events, collecting back-to-back finishes in the top 10, and has turned in 8-straight rounds under par.
The 28-year-old has dual status for her 2023 season but has been focusing on the Epson Tour as of late, trying to make it to and stay inside the top 35.
Chung has not been able to get her hands on a trophy in her time on the Epson Tour, but she has racked up 19 top-10 finishes in her career, showing she has the game to compete and win.
“I am honestly just going to try and do the same things I have been doing the last 48 hours, as cliche as that sounds,” Chung said.
Natasha Andrea Oon is one round away from possibly earning her 2024 LPGA Tour card and first career Epson Tour victory. Oon was tied for the lead entering the day and signed for a 2-under round of 70 in her second round.
Sitting in a tie for third and three shots back is Kristen Gillman. The 26-year-old had the round of the day and tournament so far, posting a 6-under 66 in round two. The University of Alabama alumna would also take home her first Epson Tour victory with a win tomorrow.
