Drive On Championship - Reynolds Lake Oconee Day 3: McDonald Leads, 1 Stroke Ahead in 2nd, Daniel Kang 3rd
[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] It is the first victory challenge for 'female power hitter' Bianca Pagdanganan (Philippines, photo).
On the 25th (Korean time), at the Great Waters Golf Club in Greensboro, Georgia, USA (par 72, 6,852 yards), during the third day of the LPGA Tour Drive On Championship - Reynolds Lake Oconee (total prize money $1.3 million), she added 3 under par to stand in 2nd place (12 under par, 204 strokes). Ally McDonald (USA) took the lead by 1 stroke (13 under par, 203 strokes), and 'two-time champion' Danielle Kang (USA) is already eyeing her third win from 3rd place (11 under par, 205 strokes).
Pagdanganan is a 23-year-old rookie who won a team gold medal and an individual bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games. She joined the LPGA Tour last year through the Qualifying (Q) Series. This season, attention should be paid to her being the 'longest hitter.' Her average driving distance is 286.21 yards, easily surpassing last year's No. 1 Ane Van Dam (Netherlands, 283.84 yards). On this day, she hit an average of 310 yards, adding to the news.
Danielle Kang is a player to watch out for. She swept two consecutive wins at the Drive On Championship and the Marathon Classic in August, and this time, with a third win, she is motivated to surpass 'Golf Queen' Park In-bi (32, KB Financial Group) and become the Player of the Year. She can also claim 2nd place in the prize money rankings. Korea's Choi Woon-jung (30, Volvik) faltered with an even par and remained tied for 13th place (6 under par, 210 strokes). Kang Hye-ji (30) fell to a tie for 44th place (1 under par, 212 strokes).
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