By Waylon Galvez
Finally after six years of waiting, the Philippines is back as the region’s best in women’s golf – thanks to Bianca Pagdanganan.
Bianca Pagdanganan reacts after winning the gold medal in the women’s individual golf event of the 30th South East Asian Games in Luisita Golf Club in Tarlac City. (Mark Balmores/Sony A9)
The Filipino bet shot a final round one-under 71 that translated into a three-stroke victory over Kan Bunnabodee of Thailand for the gold medal in the women’s individual event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games yesterday at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.
Pagdanganan finished with a three-day total of 209 for a seven-under score, while Bunnabodee carded a 72 for 212 and her compatriot Pimnipa Panthong also a 71 for a total of 213.
Bunnabodee settled for the silver medal, while Panthong took the bronze.
The 21-year-old Pagdanganan’s victory ended a six-year title drought for the country following the triumph of Princess Superal during the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.
That the women’s team of Superal, Katrina Pelen-Briones and Clare Amelia Legaspi also ruled in the team event.
Prior to that, in the 2011 biennial meet Indonesia, Chihiro Ikeda captured for the Philippines the individual women’s gold medal, and then helped the team to the title with Mia Piccio and Dottie Ardina.
Two years ago in Malaysia, Lois Kaye Go settled for a bronze medal.
Bones Floro, secretary-general of the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), said that always believed in the determination and skills of the players even against the best in the region.
“We knew that Bianca would be able to catch up in the closing holes as she’s always proven to do when she’s behind,” said Floro.
“We look forward to equally exciting battles during the last two days for the team match play competitions.”
Pagdanganan won a gold medal with Go and Yuka Saso in the team event of the Asian Games in Indonesia last year, where she also won a bronze in the individual event behind Saso and China Liu Wenbo.
The other members of the women’s team are Go and Abby Arevalo, while the national men’s team members are Sean Jean Ramos, Aidric Chan, Carl Corpus, and Luis Miguel Castro.
Source: Manila Bulletin
Xtra Sports ph 