Philippine golfer Bianca Pagdanganan is within striking distance of a podium finish, if she continues her run in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Bianca Pagdanganan knows her ongoing Olympic Games Paris 2024 campaign is more than just a regular golf tournament.
It’s a matter of national pride, honor, and a responsibility that is not earned and not given.
“It was just more of me representing the Philippines. It’s something bigger than yourself,” Pagdanganan said after earning her tournament-best performance so far of 3-under 69 in the second round of the women’s individual stroke play.
The 26-year-old golfer is now inside the top 10, placing in joint sixth as of this writing, a day after finishing tied in 12th place in the opening round.
She even reached as high as in the joint fourth at one point with the second round of action still underway.
Pagdanganan also identified the major difference between playing in the professional tour compared to competing in the grandest stage such as the Olympics.
“I compete in the LPGA but I just feel like it was just me. For the Olympics, it feels like you are chosen to represent and I feel like it’s a bigger responsibility.”
Back in her second Olympics, Pagdangan admitted feeling nervous in the opening round but once she finished the first 18 holes, all is well with the help of her family in the crowd playing a key role in her recent resurgent in the green.
“I was a little nervous about how tough the course will be but after yesterday’s round, I kinda realized that I can handle the challenge that the course brought.”
"I think that helped calm my nerves a little. It also helps that my family is out here to support me. Being able to share this experience with them really means a lot to me."
Furthermore, the Filipina pride is soaking the moment to compete among the world’s best and is keeping her strategy as simple as it can heading to the third round tomorrow.
“This experience, I just kinda embraced it and lived in the moment,” she added.
“It’s not an easy golf course, it’s challenging and tough, physically and mentally. I just try to keep my game plan simple.”