Pagdanganan winds up joint eighth at Greater Toledo
MANILA, Philippines — Bianca Pagdanganan's bid for a breakthrough Epson Tour title fizzled out after a promising start as she faltered down the stretch and settled for a share of eighth in the weather-shortened Greater Toledo Classic won by American Annabelle Webb on Sunday in Sylvania, Ohio (Monday Manila time).
Just two strokes off the first-round lead, Pagdanganan wasted little time thrusting herself into contention, stringing together three birdies over the opening six holes at the par-71 Highland Meadows Golf Club to grab a share of the lead at six-under overall.
But the ICTSI-backed Filipina struggled to sustain the momentum after making the turn, missing crucial approach shots and failing to convert key birdie opportunities, finishing with a 70.
Combined with her opening-round 68, Pagdanganan finished at 138, five strokes behind Webb, who capped a wire-to-wire victory with a four-under 67 for a 133 total.
The tournament, originally scheduled for 54 holes, was reduced to just 36 holes after Friday's opening round was postponed because of hazardous air quality, leaving contenders with little margin for error.
Mexico's Lauren Olivares charged into contention with a 65 to tie Mariel Galdiano, who closed with a 68, for runner-up honors at 135.
It was another frustrating finish for Pagdanganan, who once again found herself in the thick of the title chase before fading in the closing stretch as she continues her search for a maiden crown on LPGA’s developmental tour.
Clariss Guce matched her opening-round 70 to finish tied for 25th at 140, while Dottie Ardina, who entered the final round just three strokes off the lead, struggled to a 73 and slipped into a tie for 46th at 142.
The Filipina contingent will have little time to dwell on the setback as they shift their focus to the Hartford HealthCare Women's Championship, which begins Thursday at the Golf Club of Avon in Avon, Connecticut.
Unlike the weather-disrupted Greater Toledo Classic, the $250,000 tournament will be contested over the full 72-hole format, providing players with greater opportunity to recover from slow starts or costly rounds.
Joining Pagdanganan, Guce and Ardina in the tournament are Pauline del Rosario, Tomi Arejola and Sam Bruce, who are all aiming to bounce back after missing the cut in Toledo.
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