PARIS (Via PLDT Home) — The Philippines’ Bianca Pagdanganan placed herself in contention for a Paris Olympics medal with a three-under par 69 on Thursday in the second day of the golf competitions marked by dramatic swings of fortunes at the at Le Golf National.
While Swiss sensation Morgane Metraux captured early headlines with a record-breaking front nine of 28, the back nine proved more challenging, leaving her with a one-shot lead at 8-under. China’s Ruoning Yin surged into second with a bogey-free 65, while Lydia Ko of New Zealand maintained her challenge with a 67.
Pagdanganan showcased her resilience with a steady round that included key birdies on the back nine, positioning her in a tie for sixth place alongside several other strong contenders.
Meanwhile, the spotlight turned to disappointment for local favorite Celine Boutier and world number one Nelly Korda. Both players experienced dramatic collapses on the back nine, plummeting down the leaderboard.
Dottie Ardina, the other Filipina in the field, struggled early, double-bogeying the par-3 second hole but she clawed her way back with birdie on Nos. 11 and 18, She salvaged a 72 and moved to joint 36th at 148.
Japan’s Yuka Saso, who finished ninth in her Olympic debut in Tokyo 2021 while representing the Philippines, could not gain any significant ground. The two-time US Women’s Open champion posted a second-round 74, placing her in a tie for 47th at 151 overall.
Meanwhile, weightlifter Elreen Ando set personal bests in both the snatch and clean and jerk but her combined total of 230kg was not enough to secure a podium finish, placing her in sixth position in the women’s 59kg category.
