Bianca Pagdanganan unleashed a daring rally in Sunday’s final round with a six-under-par 66 but still fell one-shot short to yield the Wistron Ladies Open LPGA of Taiwan title to hometown bet Vivian Hou at the Sunrise Golf and Country Club in Taoyuan City.
The 26-year-old Filipina, four strokes behind the leader before the day began, shot down seven birdies (fifth, sixth, seventh, 10th, 11th, 14th and 18th right after bogeying No. 2. She finished 10-under 278.
Hou, who was second at two strokes behind after three rounds, matched her output for a total of 11-under 277.
Still, it was a big showing for Pagdanganan who won last February when LPGA of Taiwan swung by Anvaya Cove back home.
After finishing T3 and T2 back-to-back in the LPGA Tour, Pagdanganan strengthened her case for a full status by going through its many pathways.
Now she’s gearing up for the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on 9 to 11 November in Belleair, Florida.
The former Asian Games champion and one of the longest hitters in the LPGA Tour is aiming for a strong finish to secure her position at No. 56 in the Race to CME Globe Season.
That would qualify her for the lucrative CME Group Tour Championship on 16 to 19 November in Naples, Florida.
That’s why she won’t be joining her fellow Filipinas in the Party Golfers Ladies Open in two weeks’ time in Hsinchu County.
Third-round leader Wei Ling Hsu of Taiwan wilted under pressure and scored 74 to place third, five shots further.
Her compatriot Phoebe Yao was fourth, one stroke behind after a 69, while Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai was fifth after a 72 for 284.
