Olympics 2024

Pagdanganan Fires 69, Moves Up Leaderboard

By Sid Ventura - August 09, 2024
A podium finish is within reach for Bianca Pagdanganan following a solid showing in the second round of the women’s individual stroke play.

Bianca Pagdanganan made her move on Thursday, shooting a 3-under 69 in the second round of the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s individual stroke play to stay within striking distance of the leaders and a potential medal with two rounds to go.

After shooting an even-par 72 in the opening round, Pagdanganan started off the second round on the wrong foot with a bogey right on the par-4 first hole. She immediately offset that with a birdie on the par-3 second hole, but bogeyed the fourth to fall to 1-over.

A birdie on the ninth closed out her front nine with an even 36, and from that point on Pagdanganan settled down. She produced a bogey-free back nine, while birdying the 14th hole and for the second straight day birdying the 15th and 18th to finish 3-under and wheel back into contention.

Pagdanganan found herself tied for sixth with five others at 141, including first-round leader Celine Boutier of France, who wobbled with a 4-over 76 after shooting a 65. The group is just two strokes behind third-placer Lydia Ko of New Zealand, whose 67 catapulted her into medal contention.

But while Pagdanganan turned in a solid card, Dottie Ardina remained in the bottom half of the 60-woman standings failing to make any headway with an even-par 72 that kept her at 4-over with a 148 and a tie for 36th with three others.

Morgane Metraux of Switzerland took the lead at the halfway mark after a 66 for a two-day total of 136, one stroke ahead of Yin Rouning of China, who shot the round’s best score of 65.

Banner Image from AFP.

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