MORONG, Bataan — Bianca Pagdanganan watched her approach on the first hole hit the bottom of the cup for her second eagle in as many days in the ICTSI Anvaya Cove Ladies International on Thursday.
“I thought it’s going to the bunker but it was a good shot and I got away with it,” said the 25-year-Filipina who used a nine-iron from 142 yards.
Pagdanganan went on to shoot a five-under-par 67 and build a commanding six-shot lead over Chang Ya-Chun and Pakin Kawinpakorn going into the final round.
With winds blowing all day, the Epson Tour-bound player was a picture of calm and consistency.
“I’m pretty satisfied with how I played today. I got my goals — hit the fairways and greens. It’s important to keep the ball in play and I’m pretty sure I got it done for most part,” she said.
After the eagle start, Pagdanganan collected six birdies against three bogeys.
“I made few errors but I kind of bounced back in the last four holes. It’s really important to stay patient out there with a lot of conditions — the winds and heat. It’s hard to stay in the moment,” she said.
Pagdanganan, who is gunning for her first-ever pro title, has a 36-hole total of 136, six strokes clear of Chang, the Taiwanese No. 1, and Thai Pakin Kawinpakorn who carded 72 and 70, respectively.
First-round leader PK Kongkraphan failed to recover from an early double bogey and slumped with a 75, allowing compatriot Kultida Pramphun to join her in a tie for fourth spot.
Seven Thai players were in the Top 10 as the rest of the Filipinas floundered.
Harmie Constantino was the next best-placed Filipina in joint 22nd after matching par for 6-over overall.
Daniella Uy was on 7-over after a 73 while Chanelle Avaricio was on 9-over following a 76.
Meanwhile, Marvi Monsalve shared the spotlight by scoring a hole-in-one on the 161-yard No. 16 using a Srixon forged 7-iron and Srixon ball No. 1.
But she holed out with a disappointing wet quadruple-bogey on. 9 and limped with a 78.
She wound up with a 159 and missed the 40-player cut by three.
