Bianca passes Major test

MANILA, Philippines — Facing elimination in her first Major test, Bianca Pagdanganan passed it with flying colors behind a performance that perhaps merited not just a second look but focus from the best of the rest.

The gutsy Filipina rode on a scorching backside charge of four birdies in blustery conditions and finished with a bogey-free five-under 65, bouncing back strong from the brink of ouster after a 77 to joint 24th halfway through the KPMA Women’s PGA Championship in Newport Square, Pennsylvania Friday.

She remained six strokes off new leader Sei Young Kim of South Korea. But the way she fashioned out that blistering rally in tough conditions on a course that punishes even the slightest of mistakes spoke well of the caliber and character of a player just into her fifth tournament on the world’s biggest golf stage.

“I just thought a little less,” Pagdanganan told The STAR. “I wasn’t as mechanical (as in the first round) and just trusted my swing and where I wanted to hit my shots.”

Indeed, a horrendous opening seven-over card in the Majors could be enough to shatter a rookie campaigner’s confidence. But the ICTSI-backed ace showed she’s made of sterner stuff, producing that mind-boggling round that earned her not just a spot in the weekend play but also a crack at the championship.

“I just try to play my game and not force anything. My putting was good and saved a lot of pars,” said Pagdanganan.