Pagdanganan holds steady with 2nd 68; Saso charges back with eagle-filled 65

MANILA, Philippines – Bianca Pagdanganan maintained her blistering form with a second consecutive 68, while Yuka Saso roared back into contention with a superb 65 spiked by two eagles in the second round of the Kroger Queen City Championship in Maineville, Ohio on Friday (Saturday Manila time).

Despite a challenging field, Jeeno Thitikul stormed ahead at the halfway point of the $2-million event, firing a second straight 66 for a 12-under 132 total at TPC River’s Bend.

However, the Thai ace is set for a tough weekend, with powerhouses like Lydia Ko and an eager field right on her heels. Ko, fresh from a season that included a Women’s British Open title and an Olympic gold, posted a 66 to stay one shot behind at 133.

Haeran Ryu carded a stellar 65, moving into solo third at 134. Maria Fassi, Gaby Lopez and Yealimi Noh each shot 67s to join Yan Liu, who put in a 69, at 135 in joint fourth.

Pagdanganan’s consistent form has also made her one to watch as she hunts for a breakthrough win on the world’s premier circuit. Backing her opening-round 68 with another four-under card, she surged from joint 12th to a share of eighth, assembling a 136 total.

She shares the spot with a strong group that includes Pajaree Anannarukarn and Anna Nordqvist, who matched 65s, Albane Valenzuela, who sizzled with a 66, Stephanie Kyriacou, who carded a 67, Sei Young Kim, who turned in a 68, and Jasmine Suwannapura, who holed out with a 69.

Starting on the back nine, Pagdanganan fired off three birdies in her first three holes, matching her first-round aggression. Although a bogey on the 14th slowed her charge, the ICTSI-backed ace bounced back with birdies on Nos. 2 and 8, finishing strong to stay in the title chase.

On the other hand, Saso, after a slow start with an opening 73, rediscovered her touch in dramatic fashion. Languishing below the projected cutoff line, she rebounded with a string of pars before igniting her round with birdies on the par-3 fifth and the par-5 No. 6.

A bogey on the seventh didn’t deter her as she blasted an eagle on the par-5 eighth, followed by another birdie at No. 9.

The reigning two-time US Women’s Open champion, whose campaign is also supported by one