Assessing her performance, Dottie Ardina shared that she was happy with her progress as the Paris 2024 women's golf individual stroke play wore on.
Already out of medal contention, golfer Dottie Ardina knew that there was only one way to cap off her Olympic debut in the Paris 2024 women’s golf individual stroke play – finish strong.
The 30-year-old did just that as she wrapped up her stint at joint 13th after tallying a personal tournament-best 4-under-par 68.
She shared her ranking with Switzerland's Albane Valenzuela, South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai, Spain's Azahara Munoz and Canada's Brooke Henderson.
[RELATED STORY: Bianca Pagdanganan finishes fourth for best PH golf result in Olympics, Dottie Ardina surges to 13th in Paris 2024]
“Go big or go home na kanina. 4-under is good for today. Obviously, [it was] not enough to win a medal pero I’m happy that I improved everyday,” said Ardina, who is at 55th in the International Golf Federation's Olympic rankings and 260th in the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour.
The Calamba, Laguna followed up a strong third round with an even better outing in the fourth to surge into the Top 15.
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She even placed higher than world No. 1 and Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Nelly Korda, who settled for a three-way tie at 22nd, and two-time US Open champion Yuka Saso, who ended up at 54th.
“Today was my best score out of four days, [I] definitely stepped on the gas today but [it was] not enough. Pero I still played pretty well," Ardina said.
Ardina started at 40th, before climbing four spots to 36th then jumping to 23rd and soaring 10 spots up at 13th.
[ALSO READ: 'I want our names up there': Emotional Bianca Pagdanganan speaks on Paris 2024 campaign after fourth finish in women’s golf]
She admitted to feeling the nerves early on in the competition but eventually got comfortable as the days went by.
"I think medyo mas komportable na day by day. Noong una, medyo kinabahan ako and it's not my best performance on the first day. But, like I said, playing better everyday is good," she said.
[RELATED STORY: Dottie Ardina’s journey to the Olympic Games | Paris 2024]
Ardina said that her showing in Paris helped improve her self-belief and she looks to carry this with her in future competitions.
"Mas nag-boost 'yung confidence ko. Marami pa akong tournaments this year and I think this week really helped na I have to believe myself that iI actually belong here," she said.
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Another appearance in LA 2028 may just be included in the list as she shared her desire to be able to have a second go in the Games. She added that she was "very proud" to represent the country in her first Olympic stint which she described as "memorable."
“Sobrang memorable kasi the Olympics is held every four years. And, hopefully, I will play the next one," said Ardina.
“I just treasure every moment out there. Enjoy lang and I’m very proud to represent the Philippines."