Filipino female golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan in the Tokyo Olympics. NATIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Olympic moment already brings unbridled pressure to any athlete, but for the women in the golf competition, there’s another hurdle to get over–the Japanese summer heat.
With base temperatures hitting mid 30s, Bianca Pagdanganan and Yuka Saso will have to calm their nerves and keep their cool at Kasumigaseki Country Club as they make their debuts in the Tokyo Olympics.
Pagdanganan said that the heat will surely play a factor in the competition.
“It’s very humid up here actually. It’s definitely a factor and you have to make sure you stay hydrated,” said Pagdanganan ahead of round 1 on Wednesday.
The heat already affected the Philippine contingent on Tuesday after Saso’s caddie Lionel Matichuk was rushed to the hospital after suffering a heat stroke.
Pagdanganan, though, has found a way to keep her cool a day before her tee time.
Bianca Pagdanganan Instagram Story
As she made the rounds at Kasumigaseki, Pagdanganan found the perfect use for her ice pack.
Pagdanganan, in a post on her Instagram stories, put her ice pack on top of her head as a relief for the potential 41 degrees that could sweep the course.
Saso, who won the women’s US Open in June, said she’s going to make the most of her Olympic debut as it will provide an opportunity for her to play against, once again, the top golfers in the world.
“I’m going to be playing against top players but I’ve been playing against great players in my past couple of tournaments so I’m going to enjoy it,” said Saso.