Star tipped to shine at Honda LPGA Thailand
While the spotlight will be on world No. 1 Lydia Ko and No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn when the Honda LPGA Thailand tees off tomorrow, Pornanong Phatlum might upstage the leading 2 gamers and the rest of the star-studded field to raise the prize on Sunday.
World No. 2 Ariya is Thailand’s finest wish to end up being the very first regional gamer to win the nation’s leading females’s golf occasion in its 11th edition at Siam Nation Club in Pattaya.
The 21-year-old is coming off among the most vibrant seasons in LPGA history.
She won 5 competitions in 2015, consisting of the Women’s British Open for her very first profession significant title.
At the end of 2016, Ariya, still Thailand’s only champ on the LPGA Trip, 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.
Her self-confidence has actually been increased by her tied-third surface at the Women’s Australian Open on Sunday.
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.
Pornanong, another regional preferred, might be a gamer to enjoy today at the US$ 1.6 million Honda LPGA Thailand, according to the trip’s site www.lpga.com.
” Phatlum is off to a strong start in 2017 with a tie for 5th at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic and a tie for seventh at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. Phatlum is the only gamer on the LPGA Trip with top-10 surfaces in each of the very first 2 occasions of 2017,” it stated.
In 2016, Pornanong published 5 top-10 surfaces, consisting of 4 top-five, while likewise ending up 12th for her career-best outcome at the Honda LPGA Thailand.
” I wish to win on house soil,” stated the 27-year-old from Chaiyaphum.
5 other Thais will be playing in Pattaya today– Moriya Jutanugarn, Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras, Porani Chutichai, Pajaree Anannarukarn and Atthaya Thitikul.
Pajaree, 17, and Atthaya, 13, are the only 2 beginners at the 2017 LPGA Thailand.
In the inaugural competition in 2006, there were no LPGA members from Thailand however there are now 13 Thais who presently have LPGA status.
The other individuals in the 70-player field consist of previous champs Lexi Thompson (2016 ), Amy Yang (2015 ), Anna Nordqvist (2014 ), Park In-Bee (2013 ), Tseng Yani (2012 and 2011), Ai Miyazato (2010) and Suzann Pettersen (2007 ).
Park will be making her very first LPGA Trip start because winning gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The seven-time significant winner has actually missed out on the previous 6 months because Rio while recuperating from a left thumb injury.
” There is a bit more pressure. However I actually delight in playing in Thailand and this competition has excellent memories for me and is the best competition to begin my season too. There is a little pressure however I am actually delighted to begin my season in Thailand,” stated Park.
