Pinay golfers begin Olympic quest

Bianca Pagdanganan is paired with Spain's Azahara Munoz and Switzerland's Morgane Metraux for the opening round, with the Filipina bet hopeful of a strong start in her second appearance in Olympic golf beginning Wednesday at Le Golf National, located outside of the French capital.

- NELSON BELTRAN

Meanwhile, another Philippine bet, Dottie Ardina, is with Finnish Noora Komulainen and Norwegian Madele Stavnar as Yuka Saso also competes in her second Olympics, but now carrying the Japanese flag.

Saso, a two-time US Open champ, waged a searing last-round chase and finished joint ninth last time while Pagdanganan limped to a 43rd-place windup in the competition ruled by American Nelly Korda, winning by one over Japanese Mone Inami and Kiwi Lydia Ko.