Bianca Pagdanganan confers with her caddie during the final round of the Paris Olympics women’s golf tournament. Bianca Pagdanganan Instagram
Bianca savors Olympic moment
BIANCA Pagdanganan showed appreciation to all the Philippine sports fans, especially those who watched her for the first time during her inspiring fourth place run in the Paris Olympics women’s golf tournament.
It was a major improvement for the 26-year-old Pagdanganan, who placed in joint 43rd in the Covid-stalled Tokyo Games three years ago.
During the fourth and final round, where the bronze medal race was intense, Pagdanganan narrowly missed forcing a playoff, her final round of 68 leaving her tied for fourth at 282 alongside Australia’s Hannah Green, South Korea’s Amy Yang and Japan’s Miyu Yamashita.
China’s Xiyu Lin clinched the bronze with a 69, finishing at 281.
As Pagdanganan was putting up a gallant stand to reach the podium, those casual sports fans who watched Olympic golf for the first time learned the words eagle, birdie, par and bogey in every hole that the former Arizona standout was about to tee off.
“First of all, I want to thank everyone who has supported me this past week. Whether you stayed up late, woke up early, traveled to France, or even watched golf for the first time and googled different golf terms, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. The support I’ve received these past few days has been overwhelming, and I’m still struggling to find the words to say,”
Pagdanganan wrote on her Instagram account yesterday.
Pagdanganan achieved the Philippines’ best finish in Olympic golf history, male or female. Her fourth place in golf matched pole vaulter EJ Obiena’s effort during the athletics competitions, missing the bronze via countback.
Being part of the Paris Games Philippine team led by gymnastics double gold medalist Caloy Yulo, and boxing bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas is something special for Pagdanganan.
“To be able to represent the Philippines and be a member of the Olympic Centennial team on the biggest stage is a great honor; and something that I will carry with me forever. Thank you for the cheers, the kind words, and most especially the prayers! Masakit na kinapos ng isa, ngunit buong puso ko parin masasabi na lumaban tayo hanggang sa huli. Maraming salamat sa Panginoon sa pagkakataong ito. Lagi’t lagi para sa bayan! Hanggang sa muli,” Pagdanganan said.
Pagdanganan joined the closing ceremonies, marching together with athletics’ Lauren Hoffman at Stade de France, smiling with a lot of pride that she, together with the 22-strong Philippine team, represented the country well.
“To my family — my backbone and loudest supporters, thank you for being my pillars of strength. What a blessing to be able to share this experience with you. To my coaches and trainers, thank you for your guidance throughout this journey,” Pagdanganan said.
