With the strict rules of the US NCAA regarding the spirit of amateurism, Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Lois Kaye Go have decided in unison that they will not keep the cash incentives they received for winning gold in the 2018 Asian Games.
“Due to immutable circumstances, however, we are unable to accept any and all forms of financial reward,” the statement read.
“At present, two of us are actively playing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, with the third, soon to follow. We will automatically lose our amateur status the moment we keep these incentives, as well as the opportunity to continue representing the Philippines in the future.”
Saso was set to receive PHP 9.3 million for winning gold in the women’s individual event while also being part of the women’s team. Bronze medalist Pagdanganan was to get PHP 2.5 million and Go PHP 2 million.
Go represents University of South Carolina, while Pagdanganan plays for University of Arizona. Saso, on the other hand, is being recruited by D-1 schools in the USA.
They have agreed to give the money to the National Golf Association of the Philippines, the sport’s national governing body.
“We unanimously agreed that if it were possible to donate this money to support the national golf program — and thus help other aspiring golfers reach their goals — this would be the best scenario for us.”
