Yuka Saso shot an even-par 72 while Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina struggled at the start of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Bethesda, Maryland Thursday (Friday in Manila).
Saso, who is still seeking her first title this year, fired three birdies against the same amount of bogeys for nines of 36-36 to trail solo leader Gee Chun by eight strokes in this $9 million tournament.
She is tied at 15th place along with 14 others that include Inbee Park, Jin Young Ko and Lydia Ko.
Pagdanganan, meanwhile, fumbled with a two-over 74 for a share of 50th place while Ardina stumbled with a 76 for joint 88th.
The Tokyo Olympian Pagdanganan posted two birdies on the front nine against four bogeys, while Ardina managed with a single birdie on the par-3 10th hole against five bogeys.
Saso tees off at 8:17 a.m. with Brittany Altomare and Yealimi Noh while Pagdanganan is grouped with Ardina and Caroline Masson at 2:34 p.m.