PORTLAND, Oregon — Bianca Pagdanganan put herself squarely in contention with a sizzling 6-under 66 Thursday, overcoming a couple of blemishes with an eagle and six birdies to grab a share of second place after the opening round of the Standard Portland Classic at Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

The 28-year-old two-time Olympian delivered the kind of explosive round that immediately put her name near the top of the leaderboard.

Pagdanganan eagled the par-5 fifth hole and added six birdies against just two bogeys, finishing one stroke off the pace and giving herself an early shot at the title.

Pagdanganan was part of a seven-player logjam at second, just behind fellow Hawaiian Mariel Galdiano, who fired a remarkable 7-under 65 to seize the first-round lead.

The Filipina shared second with Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Maria Jose Marin of Colombia, Arpichaya Yubol, Olivia Cowan, Grace Kim, Hye-Jin Choi and Lauren Walsh.

With the leaderboard tightly packed, Pagdanganan’s opening-round surge could prove significant as the tournament unfolds. A strong start gives her a valuable opportunity to build momentum and remain within striking distance heading into the weekend.

Haeran Ryu, winner of consecutive majors at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and Evian Championship this year, was among those tied next at 6-under 66.

Galdiano, playing in the second group of the day, matched her fast start with nine birdies against two bogeys on the tree-lined layout.

“I love coming up to the Pacific Northwest,” Galdiano said. “Like great weather, good food. It’s kind of close to Hawaii for me, so I feel pretty relaxed out here.”

Marin also made an early statement, stringing together five consecutive birdies on the front nine. The 20-year-old Colombian is preparing for her senior season at Arkansas, where she won the 2025 NCAA individual championship.

“I think I reached like a flow state that I haven’t reached in a while,” Marin said. “After the British Open I didn’t play my best golf, and I think getting that confidence back with this round is all that I needed.”

Lexi Thompson opened with a 73, two days after announcing that she and husband Max Provost are expecting a baby girl in February.