FIGHTING FINISH FOR TEAM PHL

Bianca Pagdanganan figured in a high drama in this fateful weekend of a French summer, giving Team Philippines one final exhilarating ride in the 2024 Olympics before the Pinay golf ace eventually finished joint fourth in women’s golf at Le Golf National Saturday.

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Closing out with a four-under 68 for a 282 total, Pagdanganan gave herself a chance at a podium finish in a dramatic fightback from 13th place before the round, highlighted by two birdies in the last four holes.

But with Pagdanganan already in the clubhouse, Janet Lin also holed out with a birdie, and the Chinese dashed what could have been a wild, wooly playoff for the bronze with Pagdanganan, Australian Hannah Green, Korean Amy Yang and Japanese Miyu Yamashita.

Kiwi Lydia Ko won the gold at 71-278 also on a last-hole birdie, leaving Germany’s Esther Henseleit to settle for the silver, two strokes behind.

Nonetheless, it’s one great moment for Pagdanganan after a 43rd place finish in her first Olympic appearance in Tokyo in 2021.

Dottie Ardina had her own sterling show of a four-under 68 for a strong joint 13th windup at 285.

It was a fighting finish for Team Philippines that joins the closing parade Sunday proud with a historic haul of two golds and two bronzes.