Pagdanganan and Ardina Eye Olympic Golf Glory

Filipino golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina are set to compete in the women’s golf competition at the Olympic Games, marking a significant moment for the Philippines on the international sports stage.

Pagdanganan, known for her powerful drives on the LPGA Tour, will tee off today at 11:06 a.m. alongside Spain’s Azahara Muñoz and Swiss golfer Morgane Metraux at Le Golf National.

The 26-year-old aims to improve on her 43rd-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“I’ve learned so much about my game since the Tokyo Games, and about myself and how I handle myself on the golf course,” Pagdanganan said in a recent interview. S

he embraces the pressure of competing on golf’s biggest stage, saying, “I think there’s still a bit of nerves, but at the same time, these are the moments you work towards. They say that pressure is a privilege, and every chance I get, I try to soak it in because you don’t get these opportunities all the time. My level of maturity on the course is better now, and I know how to handle the nerves and perform under pressure.”

Ardina, Pagdanganan’s ICTSI teammate, is making her Olympic debut with realistic expectations but is determined to prove her capabilities.

The 30-year-old LPGA and Epson Tours veteran will start her campaign at 10:44 a.m. alongside Finland’s Noora Komulainen and Norway’s Madelene Stavnar.

Meanwhile, Yuka Saso, who placed ninth in Tokyo, will compete under Japan’s flag after changing her citizenship in 2022.

Saso, fresh off her US Women’s Open victory, will tee off against Australia’s Minjee Lee and Thai star Atthaya Thitikul at 11:44 a.m.

The competition will also feature world No. 1 and defending champion Nelly Korda, aiming for an American sweep of the golf gold medals following Scottie Scheffler’s dramatic win.

Korda will be paired with former world No. 1 Jin Young Ko and Chinese star Yin Ruoning at 9:55 a.m.

Other notable groups include Brooke Henderson, Lin Xiyu, and Kim Hyo Joo at 10:11 a.m.; Celine Boutier, Lilia Vu, and Amy Yang at 11:55 a.m.; and Lydia Ko, Miyu Yamashita, and Maja Stark at 12:06 p.m.

Le Golf National’s par-71 course, unfamiliar to many in the stellar field, promises to level the playing field, providing an opportunity for both seasoned and debutant golfers to shine.