THE ASCENDANT LPGA BENEFITING VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA

October 8, 2023

Bianca Pagdanganan

Golf Clubs at The Tribute

Quick Quotes

Q. Okay, here with Bianca Pagdanganan after her final round at the Ascendant LPGA. We were just talking about it, your best finish of the year, of your career. How does it feel?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: Feels really great. I feel like I'm -- not I feel like, I actually didn't play a lot of events this year, and so, yeah, I definitely not a whole lot of events this year because of my status, and I feel like with that comes a lot of pressure. I think more internal if anything.

But overall, I think it just feels really good to see that all the time that I'm putting in is paying off. I feel like earlier in the year it was -- not that I struggled, but it's like I just felt like I didn't see results, and that's hard.

It's like trying to get your mind off such a -- I wouldn't say a dark place -- but such a tough time. It's hard. Especially with golf being such an individual sport. You tend to be so tough on yourself.

So seeing good results in this -- the past two weeks, it feels really great knowing that everything I worked hard for is paying off.

Q. Speaking of which, a really good result last week and now this week. Definitely going to be a big bump up the CME points list. Is that something you think about, trying to fight your way up CME?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: Kind of funny, because I think kind of focus on the small stuff and then eventually it ends up, you know, me reaching a bigger goal. It's just funny because it started off with conditional status. I just needed to get back in the reshuffle. Oh, reshuffle. Try to bump my way up.

It's a step-by-step process for me, so after last week I was, okay, I'm in a good position. Let's try to stay within the top 100.

I think I did what I -- I honestly don't know where I am right now, but I -- I honestly haven't thought that far after yet. Not going to lie.

Q. That's okay. You said you're happy to see the hard work paying off. What have you been working on and how would you say the state of your game is?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: Just really the small -- I wouldn't say small parts of my game, but I know I really, really had to work my short game.

I hear it a lot, that my long game is there, but it really isn't anything without the short game. Short game is pretty much everything in this sport, so I've been just putting in more time with chipping, putting, everything around the green. I really can say that the last two weeks that's kind of what saved my game.

I wouldn't say my ball striking was A+. It was good enough, but I still missed a couple greens. My short game has been my saving grace I would say for the last two weeks.

Q. And then just bringing it back to this week, one more question. What were some of the best parts of your game this week? You mentioned short game. What was it about this course that was maybe challenging and how would you rate your game on this course?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: I was really nervous heading into this week just because I know how tough this course can play, especially with the wind. The practice round after I played the course I was like, it's going to be tough. If the wind picks up the fairways are so firm, the greens are rolling really good.

So I was really nervous. Maybe a little bit stressed. So I was really happy with my first couple rounds that I was shooting under par. I would say ball striking was kind of there this week. I mean, I think off the tee it was good that I kept my ball in play, so that helped.

But putting was decent. I honestly can't tell you right now what stood out. I feel like each day was every other part of my game.

Q. So one more. Tough course. Are you just even more proud and surprised by this result?

BIANCA PAGDANGANAN: I feel like I'm relieved. (Laughter.)

Because it was really tough. Like knowing what club to hit with the wind, I guess, yeah, I'll give myself a pat on the back. It was a good week and I'm going to take that.

There are a lot of positives to take away so I'm just really happy and proud of myself.