Ko, holder Thompson amongst top-class field
Pattaya: Fresh from her dazzling 2016 season, world No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn will be attempting to end up being the very first regional champ of the Honda LPGA Thailand today.
The 11th edition of the competition tees off today at Siam Nation Club where Thai fans intend to see a compatriot raise the prize for the very first time in the nation’s leading females’s golf occasion which was released in 2006.
The other prominent stars in the 70-player field consist of top-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand, protecting champ Lexi Thompson of the United States and Canada’s Brooke Henderson who will be making her Pattaya launching.
Ariya, who won 5 LPGA competitions in 2015 consisting of the Women’s British Open, is thrilled to be completing once again in front of her house fans.
” You understand, I am constantly actually thrilled to come back here once again, and actually eagerly anticipating the competition,” stated Ariya, the only Thai champ on the LPGA Trip.
” It implies a lot playing in front of all the fans in Thailand that come and support us.”
The 21-year-old is the highest-ranked gamer amongst 7 Thais at Siam Nation Club.
The other 6 are Pornanong Phatlum, Moriya Jutanugarn, Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras, Porani Chutichai, Pajaree Anannarukarn and Atthaya Thitikul.
Pajaree, 17, and Atthaya, 13, are the only 2 beginners in the field.
” I believe it’s growing a lot,” Ariya stated of the development of the competition.
” This competition has actually influenced a great deal of kids to begin playing golf. They are influenced by golf players here. This is fantastic for Thailand. I believe this competition is higher than majors.
” I am not going to attempt to compare myself this year with in 2015. I just wish to have more enjoyable.”
World No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand.
In 2015, Ariya ended up being the only 2nd gamer to win the gamer of the year, Race to CME World and cash title in the very same season.
Ariya almost won the Honda LPGA Thailand in 2013 when she was 17.
With a two-shot benefit, she suffered a triple bogey at the 72nd hole to hand the title to South Korea’s Park In-Bee.
Ariya stated: “I wish to win the title after coming close as soon as. However I will not put additional pressure on myself and will attempt to do my finest.”
Her self-confidence has actually been increased by her tied-third surface at the Women’s Australian Open on Sunday.
Today, Ariya will play together with China’s Feng Shanshan and South Korea’s Jang Ha-Na, who won in Adelaide on Sunday, beginning at 11.50 am.
Pornanong, who has 4 runner-up surfaces on the trip, is thought about a title competitor today after 2 top-10 surfaces in the very first 2 occasions of the season in the Bahamas and Australia.
” I am well-prepared for today physically and psychologically. I am targeting a top-10 surface,” stated the 27-year-old whose finest outcome at the Honda LPGA Thailand was 12th location in 2015.
In the very first 2 rounds, Pornanong is organized with Ko and South Korea’s Chun In-Gee, both two-time significant winners. They will tee off at 11.39 am today.
Atthaya stated: “I am so pleased that I will be playing in this competition. I will do my finest. I do not consider ratings and will attempt to get experience.”
RUNAWAY CHAMP
Thompson enters today as the protecting champ after running away with the 2016 title by 6 strokes, the biggest margin of triumph in the history of the occasion.
” It feels fantastic to be back in Thailand. This is among my preferred competitions and the course remains in remarkable shape for us as soon as again,” Thompson stated. “The fans are fantastic here. I simply had a remarkable pro-am. It was a lot enjoyable. I’m actually eagerly anticipating today as soon as again.”
Thompson will become part of a group which includes the previous 3 Honda LPGA Thailand winners teeing off at 11.28 am today with Amy Yang (2015) and Anna Nordqvist (2016 ).
World No. 1 Ko is back in Thailand for the very first time because 2014 and simply the 3rd time in her profession. Her finest surface here was a tie for 14th in 2013.
” Yeah, it’s certainly great to be back. The course, there hasn’t been much modification to it, so it’s great to come back and see that not a lot has actually altered,” stated the 19-year-old.
” The heat has actually certainly not altered. It’s certainly great to be back here, specifically with the Thai ladies playing so well. It’s a good time for golf in Thailand.”
Park In-Bee goes back to action today for the very first time because recording the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
” It’s actually interesting,” stated Park.
The seven-time significant winner has actually missed out on the previous 6 months while recuperating from a left thumb injury.
” I feel actually excellent,” Park stated of her health. “I have not felt much discomfort at all for the last number of months. I believe that’s a quite safe indication.”
Safeguarding champ Lexi Thompson of the United States. PR
