LPGA Q-SERIES

December 4, 2022

Bianca Pagdanganan

Magnolia Grove

Quick Quotes

Q. So a stretch there birdie, eagle, birdie. How did it feel making that last birdie and then kind of taking that momentum into the back nine?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: It was good. It was kind of -- it was one of those things where you just feel like you're going to make everything. I mean, at least within that stretch, you know. Obviously I couldn't get anything going on the back nine. I made one bogey.

But it's fine. I tried to have the mindset that like bogeys are fine, as long as you minimize all your errors, you should be fine. I think it was a good stretch of holes and I felt really good, especially with this being the last round for this week at least. So heading into next week I feel good about my game and where it's headed.

Q. Obviously eight rounds of golf is a ton.

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: Uh-huh.

Q. Bogeys are going to be inevitable over eight rounds.

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: Uh-huh.

Q. How do you keep positive with shots that don't go the way you want them to and kind of get back into it?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: It's crazy, you know, with eight rounds I just kind of tell myself there is so much golf to play. It just feels like after every bogey you just have so much more holes to kind of get it back, which is how I felt this week. I made a lot of -- especially I think my second round I made a lot of bogeys.

It was a little bit frustrating because I couldn't get any other birdies on that round. But it's just -- I think that's the bright -- I guess the good thing about having a lot of golf to play, you know, you can kind of get it back. The more bogeys you make the harder it is, so I don't know, just kind of keep that mindset. Minimize your errors and try not to let it affect you.

Q. Like you said, kind of an up and down first four rounds. How does it feel to close out the first week strong, especially making the cut and putting yourself in a good position for week two?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: I guess being in this position, not as much stress heading into the next four rounds of golf. Just going to try to keep this momentum going for the next couple rounds, take it easy on myself for the next three days that we have in between, and try to listen to my own body so I feel good for those last four rounds that we have.

Q. And I know we touched on your stretch and how you just feel like you're going to make everything in that moment. Specifically for those three holes, especially walking into that eagle, how did you feel and what was your mindset heading into each hole in that stretch?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: It's kind of crazy, like you just feel calm when you're at that point of your game. I don't really know how to explain it. There is a sense of calmness and just confidence when you're heading into those holes. I wish I could have kept the momentum going, but of course I wouldn't have it any other way. Still satisfied with how I played.

That's all I could think about right now. It's like you're in a different level of zen I guess. You feel good about every part of your game and you just think everything is going to go well, so I guess that's what it felt like.

Q. You have been to Q-School before in the past, and each time you've made it through. It's one of the most stressful events in women's golf with so much on the line and so much golf to play. Are you someone that performs well under pressure or is there a secret to your success out here?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: I guess that's what I was going to say, I don't know, I seem to play well under stress and pressure, but, I mean, obviously I don't want to be doing that to myself all the time.

I guess when I have to rise to the occasion I kind of get it done, so I guess that's pretty much it for what I've been doing. Try to stay cool, calm, collected. There is still so much more golf to play. Listen to your body. Like you said, it's a lot of golf and it just takes a toll on you mentally and physically. You got to take care of that aspect, too.

Q. And then touching on that, having been to Q-School before and Q-Series specifically, does that kind of help you feel a little bit more at ease this week and kind of take the pressure off? Is it just as nerve-wracking every time?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: I mean, in a sense it's still very nerve-wracking heading into it, but I feel like compared to my stress last year to this year I guess I'm a little bit more calm just because I know what to expect. I like the course that we're playing. I don't know, I love the layout, so I guess I kind of enjoy it. At least I enjoy the setting.

So I guess there is obviously still some stress, but not as much as I used to, you know, handle.

Q. And you moved from California to Florida to be closer to your coach. How has that change helped and has it made any big differences that you could see in the past year?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: I mean, I think it's definitely helped a lot. I still work with my coach from back in the Philippines, but it's also nice to have someone here. I guess it's nice to have someone look over your practice. When I was back in California I would still send videos to my coach in the Philippines and it's usually the same thing that I need to correct.

Like I know my swing, and every time he tells me to correct something I instantly get it just because I worked with him for so long. I also have a coach in Florida, so it's kind of nice. They talk so they kind of both know what's going on. They know what it check up on. I think it really helps.

It's always a productive practice session, which is so important. You don't want to hit balls for the sake of hitting balls. So being able to spend my time productively, it definitely helped.

Q. And you've been battling a wrist and thumb injury to end 2021 and start 2022. What were some of the biggest struggles that came with that setback, and how do you work through them to get to where you are now?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: It really sucked because I ended Q-Series last year in a pretty good position and I knew I was going to get into a couple events. It was hard starting off with an injury.

It takes a toll on you mentally because you know you're not 100%. I guess one thing that I learned was to just really listen to your body. Just don't force your way into playing through things.

If you need help, you should go seek it. I'm glad that I was able to kind of seek help early on. I had a visit with the doctor actually a month before Q-Series just to make sure everything was good.

He looked at my wrist and said, you know, it's great. There is no tear, and the fact that you don't feel any pain, that's really, really good sign. So it's hard mentally, but I think it's just really part of the learning process.

With how much golf you play within a year it's so important for to you listen to your body. I guess I just learned a lot from the past year. I'm just beginning my career, so it's one thing to take on for the years to come.

Q. And last question: We're halfway through the long haul of Q-Series. How does your mindset change or does it change heading into the last four rounds of golf?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: I don't know. I feel like I try to stay level throughout the round. It's easy to get carried away, so I try to, like I said, stay level and not too high and not too low. Obviously celebrate the good shots, but don't beat yourself up with the bad shots. I think that helps, just because like when you go through the extremes I think it just takes a lot out of you, and with that much golf to play it's so important to save your energy and just kind of stay calm throughout the eight rounds of golf that you're going to play.

So, yeah, I guess my mindset is just it's always been the same: Stay level throughout the whole thing. When you hit the good shots give yourself a tap on the back.

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