Filipino golfers Bianca Pagdanganan, Dottie Ardina clinch Paris Olympic berths

Just like in Tokyo three years ago, two Filipina golfers will banner the country in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics after Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina clinched their Summer Games tickets on Tuesday.

This after Pagdanganan and Ardina made the cut in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), where only the top 60 players in each gender will qualify for the quadrennial event.

The 26-year-old Pagdanganan, who currently ranks 113th in the world, was at no. 35 in the OWGR to formally book her return trip to the Olympics after representing the Philippines in the Tokyo edition alongside Filipino-Japanese ace Yuka Saso.

In Tokyo, Pagdanganan finished in joint 43rd place while Saso, who now represents Japan, impressed after winding up at joint ninth place alongside five other competitors with identical 10-under total par outings.

Ardina, meanwhile, was at no. 55 to clinch her own Olympic appearance.

The 30-year-old Ardina actually previously qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, but she was forced to pull the plug on her participation due to Zika virus.

With Pagdanganan and Ardina now qualified, 17 Filipino athletes are now set to see action in the Paris Games. They will join pole vaulter EJ Obiena; weightlifters Elreen Ando, Vanessa Sarno, and John Ceniza; boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, and Carlo Paalam; gymnasts Carlos Paalam, Levi Ruivivar, Aleah Finnegan, and Emma Malabuyo; fencer Sam Catantan; and rower Joanie Delgaco.

Several athletes are now in France for Team Philippines' training camp.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News