Bianca trails by 7 in Malaysia

- Advertisement -

SHOWING remarkable resiliency, Bianca Pagdanganan overcame a double bogey on hole No. 10 with four birdies in the last eight holes yesterday, closing out with a 70 and a four-way tie for 42nd place after the opening round of the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

After stumbling on the par-five 11th hole, Pagdanganan battled back with back-to-back birdies on the next two holes, added another on the 15th then finished her round with her fifth birdie on the 18th hole of the par-72, 6,536-yard Kuala Lumpur Gold and Country Club West Course. 

The two-time Olympian, who also had a bogey on the sixth hole, stood seven shots behind Japanese pacesetter Mai Saigo, who sizzled with a 63 and took a one-stroke lead over South Korean Haeran Ryu in the event offering a total pot of $3 million (roughly P173.9 million) and a top prize of $300,000 (P26 million).

- Advertisement -

Known for her power off the tee, Pagdanganan hit nine of 14 fairways and reached 15 of 18 greens in regulation in her renewed bid for another strong finish on the LPGA tour to be able to retain her tour card with three tournaments left.

The five-year tour veteran is currently ranked No. 107 in the Race to CME Globe rankings and needs to finish in the top 100 to keep her card and among the top 80 to receive “the best status” available.

Author

- Advertisement -

Share post: