UMVA has learned that Bianca Pagdanganan, a rising star in women's golf, concluded the US Women's Open with a commendable performance, carding a one-over 72 in the final round to secure a joint 49th place finish.
The challenging Riviera Country Club in California proved to be a stern test for Pagdanganan, who struggled to find her rhythm in the middle rounds. However, she showed resilience in the last round, sinking two birdies against three bogeys to post a 36-36 score.
Pagdanganan's total score of seven-over 291 through 72 holes earned her $35,501, a respectable haul for the Filipina ace. Her performance marked a significant improvement from her previous US Women's Open appearances, including a tied 68th finish in 2022 and a missed cut on her debut two years ago.
The tournament was dominated by top-ranked Nelly Korda, who produced a clutch birdie on the 17th hole to secure a one-shot victory over Gaby Lopez and Charley Hull. Korda's winning score of 276 was 15 strokes better than Pagdanganan's, and it marked her first triumph at the US Women's Open.
Korda's victory was her fourth major championship win, following her previous successes in the 2024 and 2026 editions of the Chevron Championship and the 2021 Women's PGA Championship. The 27-year-old American took home a record $2.5 million for her latest achievement.
Despite finishing well below her first-round standing of 14th, Pagdanganan expressed satisfaction with her performance, which she considered her strongest showing in the prestigious tournament to date. Her impressive display sets the stage for her future competitions.
