Filipino golfer Bianca Pagdanganan fired a five-under par 67 for a tie for second place and just one shot off the lead through two rounds of action in the LPGA Drive On Championship Friday at the Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia.
The 22-year-old tour rookie, who shot a first round 68 and was a joint sixth following the first round, mixed his rounds with birdies on 2, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 18 to go with a solitary bogey on 8 for a two-day total of 135.
A gold medalist in the Asian Games in 2018 and in the Southeast Asian Games here last year, Pagdanganan is at joint 135 with world No. 5 Daniella Kang, who shot a 70 after opening round 65.
The two are a shot behind American Ally McDonald, who has a total of 34 after her 68 in the $1.3 million event
Pagdanganan is hoping to win her first LPGA title in six starts. She placed joint ninth in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Pennsylvania two weeks ago – a feat that earned her a spot in December’s U.S. Women’s Open at Champions in Houston.
Former world No. 1 and two-time major winner Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand remains in contention with a 136 after a 69 for solo fourth.
Swede Pernilla Lindberg, another former champion, had a 69 for a three-way tie at fifth at 137 with Australia’s Katherine Kirk and Englishwoman Mel Reid, who shot a 65 and 68, respectively.