MANILA, Philippines - Gonzaga University freshman Bianca Pagdanganan sizzled with a five-under 67 to wrest a one-stroke lead over Miami’s Daniela Darquea at the start of the NCAA Regional tournament at the Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas Thursday.
Pagdanganan rode on an explosive frontside charge to seize control, hitting five birdies, including three straight from No. 6. She stuck a solid tee-shot on the tricky par-3 11th and drilled in a six-footer to go six-under.
But she hit an errant approach shot on No. 13 and missed the green, failing to return a seven-footer.
Still, the Filipina shotmaker’s 67 tied the third lowest-round in the event’s history and put her in the lead.
“Just a fantastic round in every aspect,” said Gonzaga head coach Brad Rickel of Pagdanganan, now ranked 83rd in the US.
Darquea also turned in impressive four-under 68 while four others shot three-under 69s to set up a fierce battle for top individual honors in the next two rounds.
The top six teams and top three players after 54 holes will gain berths in the NCAA Championships set in Eugene, Oregon later this month.