Let the tee off begins in the women’s individual stroke play in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The moment of truth has finally arrived for Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina.
Both Pagdanganan and Ardina will kick-off Team Philippines’ quest for Olympic glory in the women’s golf- individual stroke play of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The 30-year-old Ardina, who is making her Olympic debut, begins her campaign against Finland’s Noora Komulainen and Norway’s Madelene Stavnar.
Pagdanganan will then tee off alongside Spain’s Azahara Muñoz and Switzerland’s Morgane Metrauxat at the Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, France.
Known as one of the LPGA Tour’s longest hitters, the 26-year-old will be appearing in her second straight Olympics after finishing in a joint 43rd in Tokyo 2020. She was overshadowed by her then teammate-turned-opponent Yuka Saso, who landed in a joint-fifth.
Saso, who is a two-time US Open champion and is now representing Japan, will compete against Australia’s Minjee Lee and Thai ace Atthaya Thitikul.
[ALSO READ: Yuka Saso wins second US Women's Open title, this time representing Japan]
The spotlight, however, will surely be on world no. 1 and defending champion Nelly Korda, who will seek to complete an American sweep of the gold medals in Paris 2024 after compatriot Scottie Scheffler’s dramatic come-from-behind victory in the men’s individual stroke play.
With 14 LPGA victories and two Major championships under her belt, Korda is an overwhelming favorite to win gold in light of her unprecedented run on the LPGA with six wins this 2024 season.
She is paired with former world No. 1 Jin Young Ko and Chinese star Yin Ruoning Other notable matchups include Brooke Henderson, Lin Xiyu, and Kim Hyo Joo; Celine Boutier, Lilia Vu, and Amy Yang; and Lydia Ko, Miyu Yamashita, and Maja Stark.
Pagdanganan and Ardina are nowhere near, but competition is seen as a wide-open battle especially with most of the competitors in the field making their first start at Le Golf National.