After a two-week break, Bianca Pagdanganan was back in action, shooting a one-under-par 70 in The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge in Belleair, Florida on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Filipina is fighting to save her full-exempt LPGA Tour card in the final event of the season.

Her first round performance showed promise: 8 of 14 fairways, 12 of 18 greens, and 28 putts.

But she is five strokes behind Korean leader Haeran Ryo who shot a 65.

It’s been a tough year for the Philippines’ long-hitting sensation. The power is still there (she’s again among the LPGA’s top five in driving distance, but the results just haven’t followed.

Consistency has been the challenge

Pagdanganan played 16 LPGA events this year but made the cut in only six. No top-10s, and her best finish was a T-26 at the Mexico Riviera Open. Her scoring average stayed above par, and struggles with approach shots and putting kept derailing rounds — even when she was booming drives past the field.

The CME Globe standings tell the story

Bianca sits at No. 134 with 89 points — far outside the Top-100 cutoff needed to keep full LPGA status for 2026. With just $109,000 in earnings and a drop in world rankings, she needs a big finish. Like… really big.

The good news?

Her long game is still world-class. When she’s on, she’s one of the most exciting players to watch — fearless, explosive, and capable of overpowering any course. The foundation is still there.

But time is running out.

To keep her LPGA dream alive, Bianca needs a strong late-season push — or a breakthrough win. Otherwise, it’s back to Q-Series to fight her way in again.

Through it all, Filipino fans haven’t wavered.

Everyone is rooting for Bianca to find that spark again and finish the season the way we know she can.

Meanwhile, Yuka Saso, who is also having a forgettable year, opened with a 72. But unlike Pagdanganan, the Fil-Japanese won’t have to worry about losing her card as she is a two-time US Women’s Open champion.

Ryu takes 1-shot lead

South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran fired a brilliant 6-under 64 to take a one-shot lead. Ryu carded seven birdies, including four straight on holes 4–7, hitting all 14 fairways and taking just 28 putts.

“I used my 3-wood a lot to stay in the fairway,” she said. “I don’t usually play well in Florida, so I’m really happy with today’s 64.”

Australia’s Grace Kim, this year’s Evian champion, opened with a 65 to sit solo second, while Jennifer Kupchofollowed with a 66. Leona Maguire, Mao Saigo, Charley Hull and Lee So-mi share fourth at 67.

The spotlight also fell on Kai Trump, the 18-year-old granddaughter of US President Donald Trump, who made her LPGA debut on a sponsor exemption. The high school senior struggled to a 13-over 83, placing her last in the 108-player field.

“Definitely more nervous than I expected,” Trump said, adding she felt even more pressure than when speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Despite nine bogeys and two doubles, she said she learned a lot and appreciated the experience: “I thought I did pretty good for a first time. I had a great time out there.”