Pagdanganan posts 70 to recover in Asia Pacific Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Bianca Pagdanganan gained 10 spots from joint 18th with a two-under 70 but stood too far behind Thai Atthaya Thitikul, who threatened to rip the field with a blistering seven-under 65 in the second round of the Asia Pacific Cup in Indonesia Friday.

As Daniella Uy squandered a strong start of two birdies and faltered with 73 after a gutsy 72 Thursday, Pagdanganan mounted her charge with an early birdie-binge at the backside of the Pondok Indah course in Jakarta. She then rebounded from a string of mishaps with two birdies in the last eight holes to card a pair of 35s.

With a 143 aggregate, the ICTSI-backed ace, who recently re-claimed her LPGA Tour card, joined Korean Youmin Hwang, who fought back with a 68, Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and India’s Diksha Dagar, who matched 71s, and Aussie Robyn Choi, who carded a 72, at eighth place.

But they remained considerably behind Thitikul, who showcased exceptional shotmaking and putting skills to put in a five-under frontside card. She then closed out with three birdies against a bogey in the last seven holes for a 31-34 as she broke away from a four-way tie for the lead and zeroed in on the top purse of $100,000 with an 11-under 133 haul.

From a tight start, the 20-year-old two-time LPGA Tour winner pulled ahead by five over Korean Dayeon Lee, who shot a 70 for 138, with Thai amateur Eila Galitsky firing a 69 to grab solo third at 139 heading to the final round of the 54-hole championship staking a total purse of $550,000 in individual competition and $200,000 in team play.

Thitikul also primed herself for a “double” as she and partner Jaravee Boonchant, who matched par 72, pooled a 10-under 278 for Thailand I to seize a commanding four-stroke lead in team competitions with a 10-under 278.

Korea 3 assembled a 282 while Korea 5 had a 283.

The Philippines’ two teams lay at joint 12th with Thailand 1 with 294 totals.

Pagdanganan marked her big start with birdies on Nos. 11 and 12 with back-to-back feats from No. 14 compensating for her miscue on the 13th. Despite a setback with three bogeys in the next four holes, she rebounded with birdies on Nos. 2 and 4 although missed opportunities in the closing holes