Pagdanganan in four-way tie for lead at LPGA Mexico tourney opener

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, May 24 ------ Filipina Olympian Bianca Pagdanganan grabbed a share of the first round lead at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Playa del Carmen. Pagdanganan fired a 4-under 68 to arrange a four-way tie for the lead with American Brianna Do, Japan's Chisato Iwai and South Korea's Jenny Shin. 

The 27-year-old power hitter, who represented the Philippines in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, pulled off a two-putt birdie on the par-5 18th to propel herself to the top of the leaderboard. Do, for her part, overcame sweltering conditions to also gain a share of the lead. Her lofty position marked a welcome change of fortune for the 35-year-old, who has struggled to make an impact on the LPGA Tour since turning pro in 2012 following a promising amateur career. 

Do has missed the cut in 14 of her last 16 LPGA Tour appearances since the 2021-2022 season. Her start in Mexico is her first LPGA appearance of the year. "It was pretty cool getting into this event," said Do, who missed the cut in all three of her LPGA Tour appearances last season. "I kind of came in wanting to capitalize on the opportunity and doing the best that I can so I put up a good number today. Let's see how the next three days goes.” 

Shin, meanwhile, was among several players who struggled to get to grips with the oppressive heat and humidity that blasted the field. "I didn't anticipate heat like this — I was really shocked when I got here. It definitely does feel like I'm in Southeast Asia," Shin said. 

German duo Olivia Cowan and Aline Krauter are among a group of five players a further shot back on three under after shooting 69s. China's Zhang Weiwei is two off the lead on two under after a roller coaster round which at one stage left her looking poised to take sole possession of the lead. Zhang reeled off five birdies over the front nine to reach the turn at five under, but saw her momentum falter down the stretch with two bogeys and a double bogey before a birdie on 18 gave her a 70. 

Source: philstar.com