Bianca faces tough weekend

The Philippines' Bianca Pagdanganan turned in a strong start on Thursday amid a roaring field that is expected to make her life difficult for the rest of the weekend.

The 26-year-old Pagdanganan carded a one-under-par 71 in the opening round of the Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Club Old Course in Chonburi.

She peppered the layout with birdies on the ninth, 10th, 13th and 17th but diluted it by bogeying 8, 12 and 18 to stay tied for 42nd — seven shots off the leader.

The lone Filipina in the field hit the fairways 11 of 14 and found the green in regulation 11 of 18 times. Known as one of the longest hitters in the Tour, Pagdanganan averaged 267 yards in driving distance and putted 28 times.

Decent numbers. But still a long way to go to catch up with the rest.

Taiwan's Peiyun Chien sizzled with an eight-under 64 to take solo lead on account of her eagle-aided round.

Two shots behind at solo second is South Korea's Sei Young Kim, the 2020 Women's PGA champion and 12-time Tour winner.

Eight players clogged the third place with 67s including some big names like Canadian superstar Brooke Henderson and Thailand's top bet Patty Tavatanakit.

Joining them in the big group are Ayaka Furue of Japan and Jenny Shin of South Korea.

Philippine-born Japanese Yuka Saso fired a three-under-par 69 to grab a share of 19th place in the $1.7 million meet which kicks off the LPGA's Asian swing.