Subscribe now
Gonzaga University Athletics

Women’s golf: Gonzaga’s Bianca Pagdanganan finishes near-perfect first round with 5-under 67 to lead NCAA regional in Texas

Gonzaga freshman Bianca Pagdanganan leads the Bryan (Texas) Regional after a 5-under-par performance in the first round of the NCAA women’s golf tournament. (Photo courtesy of Gonzaga)
Gonzaga freshman Bianca Pagdanganan leads the Bryan (Texas) Regional after a 5-under-par performance in the first round of the NCAA women’s golf tournament. (Photo courtesy of Gonzaga)

Playing on her own suited Gonzaga freshman Bianca Pagdanganan to a tee Thursday in the first round of the NCAA women’s golf regional in Bryan, Texas.

Pagdanganan, playing as one of just six individuals without a teammate in the 96-player event, racked up five birdies in the first eight holes on the way to a 5-under 67 and the outright lead by one shot over Daniela Darquea of Miami.

The round of 67 for Pagdanganan was one off Gonzaga’s school record of 6-under 66, set in April by teammate Ciera Min at the WCC Championships.

Eighteen players finished the first day within four shots of the lead and everyone will tee off just after 6:50 a.m. Friday ahead of Pagdanganan at the 6,373-yard Traditions Golf Club for the second of three rounds.

Sixth-ranked Georgia and 11th-ranked Arizona share a three-shot lead in the team competition at 3-under 285.

  • Sophie Hausmann shot a 1-over 72 in the first round of the Stanford Regional and finished tied for 16th place, four shots off the lead and best placed out of five Vandals playing in Stanford, California.

Idaho finished the first day tied for 13th place at 16-over, trailing second-ranked and first-round leaders USC by 13 strokes.

Michelle Kim and Cassie McKinley shot rounds of 4-over 75, Kristin Strankman finished at 7-over 78 and Kendall Gray at 8-over 79 for the Vandals.