Bianca Pagdangan cards even-par 72, Dottie Ardina fires 76 to open Paris Olympics golf campaign

Filipina golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina were off to a slow start to open their campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics women's individual stroke on Wednesday at the Le Golf National. 

Second-time Olympian Pagdanganan, who represented the Philippines in Tokyo Olympics alongside Yuka Saso, started her bid with pars in the first three holes, but three costly bogeys in the fourth, fifth, and seventh holes saw her slipping in the rankings. 

The 26-year-old athlete then recovered quickly, getting her groove on the back nine, swinging to three birdies on par-4 12th and 15th holes as well as on par-5 18th hole to end the day with 72 at joint 13th spot. 

Pagdanganan is currently in a logjam with defending gold medalist Nelly Korda of the United States as well as Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lydia Ko of New Zealand, keeping her medal hopes very much alive. 

Ardina, meanwhile, swung to seven pars in the first nine holes then committed a double bogey on the 15th hole as she fell 4-over par 76. She ended the opening round at T40 with five other competitors in Hyo Joo of Korea, Pei-Yun Chien of Chinese Taipei, Madelene Stavnar of Norway, Alexandra Forsterling of Germany, and Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand. 

Hometown bet Celine Boutier of France impressed with 7-under to lead the 60-woman field after hitting eight birdies for 65. South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai carded 4-under 68 to end the day at solo second spot. 

Four golfers, meanwhile, are in joint third after finishing with 70. 

Action resumes on Thursday for Round 2 at 3 p.m. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News