Pagdanganan finds groove, vaults into Top 20 in Vegas

MANILA, Philippines — Bianca Pagdanganan finally unleashed the kind of explosive round many had expected all week, firing a brilliant seven-under 65 Saturday to spark a huge climb in the Reliance Matrix Championship at the Spanish Trail Country Club in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).

Though her charge came a bit late to seriously threaten the leaders, it was still strong enough to make an impact as the power-hitting Filipina vaulted from the bottom of the surviving field to a share of 20th at 207 after three rounds of the Epson Tour event.

Thailand’s Cholcheva Wongpras, however, remained firmly in control, backing up her record-setting 61 Friday with a steady 69 for a 195 total and a commanding five-shot lead heading into the final round.

For Pagdanganan, the round marked a much-needed breakthrough after struggling to find rhythm in the first two days. Following rounds of 70 and 72 that barely carried her into the Top 60 and ties cut, the ICTSI-backed star finally displayed the firepower that has long made her one of the tour’s most dangerous hitters.

Starting from the backside, Pagdanganan caught fire immediately, birdying Nos. 11, 13, 14 and 16 before closing her opening nine with another birdie on the 18th for a scorching 31.

She stayed aggressive coming home, birdying the par-3 second hole to move to six-under before briefly stumbling with a bogey on the next. But she quickly recovered, birdying two of the closing par-5s to finish with a 34 homeward card and move within three shots of the Top 10.

The round highlighted not only her tremendous length off the tee but also a much sharper iron game and improved putting touch – areas that had hampered her campaign in recent months.

Clariss Guce remained the highest-placed Filipina despite a third-round 72, holding a share of 12th at 205, still 10 shots behind Wongpras.

Meanwhile, Mirabel Ting and Mariel Galdiano stayed within striking distance after matching 200 totals. Ting fired a 67 while Galdiano added a 70 in the 72-hole event, one of the few full-length tournaments on the LPGA Tour’s developmental circuit.

In contrast, Pauline del Rosario’s campaign continued to unravel after her dazzling opening-round 65.

After a second-round 72 slowed her momentum, Del Rosario stumbled further with a 74 Saturday, tumbling to joint 48th at 211.

Also supported by ICTSI, Del Rosario appeared headed for a rebound when she birdied Nos. 1 and 3 to ignite hopes of another low round. But a bogey on the seventh disrupted her rhythm, and she struggled the rest of the way.

She dropped shots on Nos. 11, 13, 14 and 18, with only a lone birdie on the 15th interrupting another disappointing backside slide.

It was a frustrating turn for Del Rosario, who just two days earlier looked poised for a breakthrough finish on the Epson Tour.

Dottie Ardina likewise endured a tough day, carding a 73 to slip to joint 55th at 214.