The Philippines’ bid for a Olympics Games Paris 2024 medal has taken a hit, as no Filipina golfers remain in serious contention after three rounds on Friday evening (Manila time) at Le Golf National in Paris.
Bianca Pagdanganan, who had positioned herself among the top contenders with a determined 69 on Thursday, stumbled during the pivotal third round. A disappointing 73 saw her slip down the rankings, now tied for 13th place with a total of 214.
Pagdanganan, the top Filipino hope after teammate Dottie Ardina slipped to joint 36th with a 72 in the second round, began the third round with confidence.
She birdied the par-3 2nd hole from 16 feet but was undone by bogeys on the 4th, 8th, and 12th holes, as well as a missed par putt on the 17th.
Despite a birdie on the par-5 18th, Pagdanganan finished the day one-over, dropping seven places to joint 13th, seven strokes behind the co-leaders.
On the other hand, Ardina made a late charge, finishing with a birdie-eagle flourish to record a 69. This strong close lifted her six spots to a share of 24th place with a total of 217, 10 strokes off the lead.
Ardina’s round included three birdies on the front nine, though her momentum was briefly halted by a double bogey on the difficult par-3 16th.
Yuka Saso, a two-time US Women’s Open champion, continued to struggle, matching par with a 72 but remaining far from the top of the leaderboard, tied for 42nd with a total of 223.
Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux, who had led the field, faced early challenges on the back nine, dropping three shots over the first four holes.
However, she bounced back with a birdie on the 14th and finished in style with an eagle on the par-5 18th, carding a 71 to join New Zealand’s Lydia Ko atop the leaderboard at nine-under 207.
