MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Bianca Pagdanganan stormed into contention at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open on Thursday, carding a solid 4-under-par 68 to claim a share of the first-round lead at the El Camaleon Golf Course in Playa del Carmen.

Pagdanganan, 26, is tied at the top with Japan’s Chisato Iwai, South Korea’s Jenny Shin, and American Brianna Do in the opening round of the LPGA Tour event. The scorching heat and humidity made conditions tough, but the long-hitting Filipina remained composed to keep a clean card and set herself up for a strong weekend.

Known for her aggressive play and booming drives — she consistently ranks among the LPGA’s longest hitters — Pagdanganan used her power to her advantage on the course’s wide fairways and reachable par-5s. She rolled in five birdies against one bogey, showcasing the improved consistency she’s been working on in her short game and putting.

“This was a good start,” said Pagdanganan, who is eyeing her first LPGA Tour title. “I’ve been working on staying calm and trusting my swing, and today it really came together.”

A former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and a member of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic team, Pagdanganan has shown flashes of brilliance since joining the LPGA Tour full-time in 2021. Her best LPGA finish so far was a third-place finish at the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship, and she’s hungry to finally break through with a win.

This strong start is also crucial in her push to secure higher priority status on the tour and a spot in more major tournaments this season.

While Pagdanganan looked sharp, Brianna Do’s name on the leaderboard raised eyebrows. The 35-year-old American, who has missed 14 cuts in her last 16 LPGA starts, is making her first tour appearance of 2025 and took full advantage with a bogey-free round.

“I came in just wanting to make the most of this chance,” Do said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out here, so I’m grateful I could post a good number.”

Shin, who admitted to struggling with the brutal heat, also finished at 68, while Germany’s Olivia Cowan and Aline Krauter are among five players trailing by a stroke at 3-under.

China’s Zhang Weiwei looked poised to take solo lead after birdieing five of her first nine holes. But a rocky back nine — including two bogeys and a double — brought her back to a 70.

As the second round looms, Pagdanganan will be looking to keep the momentum and carry the Philippine flag deep into the weekend — something she’s been working toward since her promising amateur career transitioned to the sport’s biggest stage.

“This is a big year for me,” she said. “I’m taking it one shot at a time, but of course the goal is to be in contention on Sundays.”