Filipino Olympic Golfer Bianca Pagdanganan Would Win Not One But Two New Homes (And Other Amazing Prizes) If She Claims Gold At Paris 2024
If the LPGA Tour player takes the top prize in the women's Olympics golf tournament, she's seems set to be showered with gifts
The chance to win a medal at the women’s Olympics golf tournament is likely incentive enough for all 60 members of the field, but for one competitor, Filipino star Bianca Pagdanganan, there is significantly more on offer if she scoops gold.
For a start, the Philippines Olympic committee is promising a free home to any of its competitors who win a gold medal at the Games, and that has been boosted by the pledge of a two-bedroom condo worth 24 million pesos (about $415,000) from private property developer Megaworld.
That's far from the last of the gifts she'd receive for winning the tournament, though. Thanks to an act introduced in 2015 by the late former president of the Philippines, Benigno Noynoy Aquino III, any of the country’s gold medal winners will also win 10 million pesos (around $173,000) and an Olympic gold medal of valor from the Philippines Sports Commission.
That's not all. Pagdanganan, who has career earnings of $951,738, would also see her bank balance boosted by a further 3 million peso windfall (around $52,000) from the Philippine House of Representatives.
One of Pagdanganan's compatriots who has already claimed those prizes is gymnast Carlos Yulo, who became the county’s first male gold medal winner and has gone on to claim a second gold in Paris.
Perhaps because of his unique feat or the double success of his floor routines, the gifts coming his way haven’t stopped there.
More private businesses have also stepped in, with one pledging 10,000 pesos ($1,730) of free furniture. There’s also a lifetime of free ramen and free meals from various establishments heading his way, which he can presumably order in on the free iPhone 16 he'll receive.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Meanwhile, he’ll never need to worry about his cookie jar emptying again, as his supply of the sweet treats has also been taken care of for life thanks to the aptly named Cookies By The Bucket.
He's also set for a lifetime of free engineering design by Nexa Engineering, while the 24-year-old can get colonoscopies and gastroenterology consultations for life anytime after he turns 45!
While it’s unclear whether or not Pagdanganan, who also played at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will be in line for quite that variation of smaller gifts should she win gold, the promise of two homes and the financial rewards (as well as the medal itself and the box she'll be handed on the podium) will surely be enough to leave her dreaming of what may be in just a few more days.
And what of her chances? Well, she made an encouraging start in the opening round of the tournament at Le Golf National, heading back to the clubhouse level for the day, seven behind overnight leader Celine Boutier.
The news of the potential rewards for Pagdanganan follows the revelation that, at last week’s men’s tournament, Polish star Adrian Meronk was in line for a two-bed flat among other prizes had he won gold. However, in the end, Meronk didn’t get close, finishing in T49 as US player Scottie Scheffler took the honors.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
'Ryder Cup, Let's Go!' - Matt Wallace Gives Emotional Interview After Omega European Masters Victory
Following a dramatic playoff victory at the Omega European Masters, the Englishman gave an emotional interview following his first win on the DP World Tour since 2018
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Matt Wallace Recovers From Losing Four-Stroke Lead To Win Omega European Masters Title In Playoff
Matt Wallace claimed his first DP World Tour title in six years after playoff success over Alfredo Garcia-Heredia
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Curtis Cup Stars Sara Byrne And Mimi Rhodes Turn Pro
The Great Britain & Ireland teammates have announced that they have left their amateur careers behind
By Mike Hall Published
-
Junior Solheim Cup Teams 2024: USA And Europe Line-Ups
The 13th edition of the Junior Solheim Cup takes place at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia - here are the teams
By Mike Hall Published
-
Solheim Cup Tee Times And Full Schedule 2024
Discover when each session of the 2024 Solheim Cup is taking place at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
GB & I Win Curtis Cup For First Time Since 2016 In Thrilling Climax: As It Happened
GB & I defeated Team USA 10.5 - 9.5 at Sunningdale in a fascinating Sunday finish that swung both ways before the hosts finally sealed the deal
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Curtis Cup Tee Times: Sunday Singles
A thrilling finish is in prospect at Sunningdale with the Sunday singles as Great Britain and the US compete for the Curtis Cup
By Mike Hall Published
-
Big Names Spotted Supporting Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup Team At Sunningdale
Charley Hull and Justin Rose are among the high-profile players who have been offering their support to the hosts as it takes on the US in the biennial match
By Mike Hall Published
-
Dunning Golf Reveals Team USA's Solheim Cup Uniforms
Dunning Golf has brought patriotism to life through the uniforms of the US Solheim Cup team
By Alison Root Published
-
9 Notable Players To Miss The Solheim Cup
Some of the world’s best-known players will compete on the US and European teams at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club match, but several other notable names have missed out
By Mike Hall Published