Bianca hits two straight eagles

MANILA, Philippines — Power and control, Bianca Pagdanganan showed she’s got both, shooting back-to-back eagles in a remarkable four-under 67 and into the Top 10 halfway through the Marathon LPGA Classic in Slyvania, Ohio Friday.

Kiwi Lydia Ko followed up her opening 64 with a 65 on a course where she had twice won and moved ahead at 129, one-up on England’s Jodi Shadoff, who fired the tournament-best eight-under 63. Erstwhile co-leader Danielle Kang of the US slowed down with a 67 and dropped to third at 131 as the big guns continued to pound the Highland Meadows Golf Club in the absence of the wind.

But these LPGA Tour veterans must have gotten word of the strong surge of the young Filipina shotmaker, who won driving honors in her pro debut at Drive On Championship at Inverness Club in Toledo last week. She put her skills on full display yesterday in her backside start at the par-71 layout that produced a rare feat – consecutive eagles on Nos. 17 and 18, both par-5s.

“That’s so cool,” said the red-hot Pagdanganan of her 10-foot eagle putts that highlighted a 34-33 card, including four birdies against the same number of bogeys for a six-under 136.

“That’s also the first time it’s ever happened to me. Oh, that’s pretty rare (back-to-back eagles),” added the 22-year-old ICTSI-backed bet, who jumped from joint 28th to a share of eighth with Tour stalwarts Lexi Thompson (66) of the US, Carlota Ciganda (68) of Spain and Sophia Popov (70) of Germany heading to the weekend play of the $1.7 million championship.

It was a big achievement as the SEA Games double-gold medalist became only the second player this season to record consecutive eagles, and the 23rd ever recorded in LPGA history.

She remained seven strokes off the pace though, but with her confidence going sky-high, things are looking up for the big-hitting 2017 Philippine Ladies Open titlist, who is actually playing in her second Marathon LPGA Classic.

She received an exemption in the 2018 edition as member of the University of Arizona State’s winning team in the 2017 NCAA National Championship.