Tseng to head starry field in Pattaya

The winner of two Majors this year will be one of nine top10 players teeing off in the LPGA season-opener with the world’s top 60 plus 10 sponsor’s picks getting invites.
“I was sorry to hear about the flooding in Thailand. We love Thailand. We are very happy to go back there to play, and I hope everybody gets well soon. Hope everything will be fine,’’ said the “Queen Bee” of women’s golf. Tseng won the LPGA Championship and British Open plus five LPGA trophies this year.
While the tournament still awaits an application from world No 5 Paula Creamer, confirmation has arrived that American teen prodigy Alexis Thompson, the youngest champion on the LPGA tour, will make her first appearance in Thailand. Thompson caused a stir in the Navistar LPGA Classic where she carded a 17-underpar 271 to beat Tiffany Lewis to become the youngest LPGA victor at only 16. Thompson also celebrated her first European Tour success on Sunday with a win in the Dubai Ladies Masters.
Channel 7 and Honda are joining hands with LPGA players to launch an online charity auction aimed at raising funds for flood victims through the Rajaprajanigroh Foundation Under Royal Patronage. The auction runs until January at www.HondaLPGAThailand2012.com, where items donated by Ai Miyazato, Paula Creamer, Anna Nordqvist and Pornanong Platlum and other stars are up for grabs.
“I’m so sorry about all the floods in Thailand. My heart goes with you and I can’t wait to come back. I love your country. It’s always been very welcoming to us and hopefully the worst is over, so god bless everybody and you are in our thoughts,’’ said Creamer who donated an autographed ball for auction.
Though the sponsor’s operations were hit by the floods, Pitak Pruittisarikorn, director of Asian Honda Motor Co, has pledged Honda’s continued backing for the tournament.
“The Honda LPGA Thailand 2012 is a great opportunity to show the world that Thailand is ready and able to welcome visitors to the Land of Smiles again after the flood crisis. We will fight through the hardship together. Honda was also one of the victims but we are committed to stand side by side with the Thai people and retain our production base in Thailand,’’ he said.