At the LPGA Drive On Championship, where the tour’s grow-the-game initiatives are at the forefront, junior reporter Ophelia Bunuel of Miami stepped up to the mic and asked rookie Bianca Pagdanganan if she’d ever competed on a course she liked so much that went she back for vacation.
A solid question, especially given all the enviable lake views that the Great Waters Course has to offer. Lake Oconee comes into play on nine of the last 10 holes, and Pagdanganan said she was so enamored by the setting during a practice round that she stopped on every green and took a picture as the sun dipped down toward the water.
Pagdanganan has plenty of reasons to soak things in these days. After playing her way into her first major – the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship – and then posting back-to-back 65s to tie for ninth, the recent Arizona grad finds herself once again in contention in Greensboro, Georgia.
A second-round 67 puts Pagdanganan in a share of second with Danielle Kang at 9 under, one shot behind leader Ally McDonald.
“I feel really relaxed out there,” said Pagdanganan.
LPGA Drive-On: Leaderboard
McDonald, a newlywed who turns 28 on Sunday, looks to join the likes of Mel Reid and Sophia Popov as first-time winners this year. Her parents drove in from Mississippi to watch her play and brought a cake with them. They’re prepared to celebrate regardless of what unfolds in the coming days.
“I have a sweet tooth, which is not good since I’m a Type I diabetic,” said McDonald. “I’ll probably only have a small piece and share with a lot of people.”
Reid continued her great momentum with a second-round 68 and sits three shots back in a share of fifth with Pernilla Lindberg. The Englishwoman wasn’t asked about coming back for vacation but instead brought it up on her own.
“It’s honestly a pleasant surprise,” said Reid of the sprawling property that includes six courses. “I haven’t been in this area ever. It’s somewhere I would come back … even for like a couple-day vacation. It’s just cool to see the bay with all the boats. Obviously, we don’t have spectators, but we feel like we do.”
LPGA commissioner Mike Whan worked as an on-course commentator in Reid’s group on Thursday, and she took the opportunity to give him a hard time about the fine she received for celebrating her ShopRite victory in an empty restaurant – apart from her caddie and partner.
“I was quite pleased with myself with that one,” she said of the friendly jabs.
Overall though, she gave him top marks on the day.
Former No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn started off bogey/double-bogey on Friday but managed to turn it around for a 69. The two-time major winner hasn’t won since 2018.
“To be honest, after first two holes I feel like (making) cut going to be good enough for me this week,” she said.
Now she’s only two off the lead.
