Lending star power to Anvaya Cove tilt, Pagdanganan gets LPGA comeback bid started

Hoping to rekindle the fire that took her to the sport’s biggest stage, Bianca Pagdanganan returns to where it all began – a journey back to the US Women’s Professional Golf Association (LPGA) to begin in remote Morong in Bataan.

In addition to bringing her star power to the $100,000 Anvaya Cove Ladies International that begins on Wednesday, the 25-year-old Pagdanganan is trying to gather her game and gain the confidence she needs to take on the best women. planet.

“I really want to be able to play competitively again and be able to play in front of the crowd,” said Pagdanganan, who lost his tour card in 2021 and failed at Q School last year. He will use this tournament, filled with the best talent from the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand, as a tuneup for the Epson Tour that starts next month.

After surprising the world with her length and becoming the longest hitter on the LPGA, Pagdanganan’s game is on the decline.

During the 2020 season, he was so good that he made nine out of 10 cuts to remain a member of the Tour the following year. Last year’s members came from the Q-Series where they finished in a tie for 10th.

The 25-year-old, however, has struggled over the past year and is more than determined to get back to where he’s known. And the journey will begin where the first one began.

Kickoff leg

Pagdanganan has never played for money at home, with his last assignment in the country being at the 2019 Asian Games where he led Team Philippines to Luisita in Tarlac alongside Lois Kaye Go and Abby Arevalo.

“I’m excited and looking forward to playing in my first professional event in the Philippines,” said Pagdanganan, who will also represent the country at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and finished tied for ninth at the same Women’s Professional Golfers Association Championship. year.

The 54-hole championship, the kickoff leg for the full season of the Philippine Women’s Golf Tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., will not be a piece of cake even for a talent like Pagdanganan because the field has strong opponents, one of which is. the former University of Arizona product is like the Filipino ace.

Ya Chun-Chang, Taiwanese No. 1, is actually a Wildcat along with Pagdanganan in his senior year.

PK Kongkraphan, Thailand’s second-ranked player, is also in the field and is one of the favourites.

“It’s always nice to play against top players from other countries,” Pagdanganan said. “It brings out the best in us.”

Also carrying local battles are Chihiro Ikeda, Chanelle Avaricio and Harmie Constantino.

“I haven’t played with them for a long time, so I’m looking forward to playing on the same field,” said Pagdanganan of the trio of local stars who dominated the circuit last year. “There is a lot of talent in Philippine women’s golf.” INQ

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