Filipino golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina turned in identical even-par 71s to kick off their campaign at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway, New Jersey on Friday, each showing flashes of brilliance amid a packed opening round.

Pagdanganan, known for her power game, looked poised for a solid under-par score after collecting four birdies in her first eight holes. But disaster struck on her final hole — the par-5 9th — where she suffered a quadruple-bogey 8 that wiped out all her early gains. She settled for an even 71, a frustrating finish after a promising start.

Meanwhile, Dottie Ardina delivered a steadier round, highlighted by a strong close. After an up-and-down front nine, the veteran capped off her day with back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18 to also card a 71, keeping herself in the hunt going into the weekend.

The two Filipinas are still in striking distance, though they’ll need to step up in the next two rounds to keep pace with the red-hot leaders.

South Korea’s Ilhee Lee and American Elizabeth Szokol set the early tournament tone with matching eight-under 63s. Lee, making just her second start of the season after battling shoulder issues in recent years, closed with three consecutive birdies to claim a share of the lead. The 36-year-old veteran’s impressive round came with a calm mindset. “I don’t have expectation. I just play golf,” she said. “I just come out, have fun. That’s all I do.”

Szokol surged ahead with a flurry of birdies early in her round, including five straight from the 1st to 5th holes, crediting her rhythm and ball-striking for the fast start.

Japan’s Akie Iwai lurks just two shots back at six-under after a bogey-free 65, while a group of seven players are bunched at five-under, three off the lead.

The tournament remains wide open, with the second round underway and conditions ripe for more low scores. Pagdanganan and Ardina will look to regroup and make a move as the weekend pressure builds.

This is a developing story.