Pornanong, Jutanugarns face world's best at Honda LPGA
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Thai ace Pornanong Phatlum and the Jutanugarn sisters, Ariya and Moriya, will be powered by home support as they take on the golfing elite, led by two-time defending champion Yani Tseng, in the US$1.5-million Honda LPGA Thailand.
World No 73 Pornanong, who bagged her first Ladies European title last December in India, is the only Thai with direct entry into the event, held from February 21 to 24 at the Siam Country Club in Pattaya. The field comprises the top 60 money winners on the LPGA Tour plus 10 sponsor invites.
Born in Chaiyaphum, the 23-year-old Pornanong finished tied for 14th in Pattaya last year, one stroke behind best Thai performer Ariya Jutanugarn, who shot a 7-under 281. World No 1 Tseng won the title after compiling an 18-under-par total.
Seventeen-year-old Ariya, who won the Ladies European Qualifying School in December, is carrying impressive form, after finishing tied second in the Australian Masters on Sunday. The LPGA Thailand will be the last family reunion for the Jutanugarns for a while, since both will be focusing on separate tours for the rest of the season.
Moriya, a year older, will tune up in the LPGA season-opening Australian Women’s Open in Yarralumla, a week ahead of the home event.
“This is my first year as a professional player on the LPGA, so I want to perform well. I want to play my best in front of the home fans and I’d love to see many fans come to support me,” said Ariya, winner of the 2012 LPGA Qualifying school.
“The course suits me well and I’m looking forward to playing alongside top players. Hopefully I can make the top 20,’’ said Moriya, who settled at 44th last year. Juntima Gulyanamitta is the other Thai holding a wild card for the tournament.
Rising New Zealand-Korean teenager Lydia Ko also has an invite, along with Michelle Wie and Cheyenne Woods, niece of former world No 1 Tiger. At 15 years and four months, Ko wrote a new chapter in LPGA history by becoming the tour’s youngest winner with her victory at the Women’s Canadian Open last August.
Tseng, looking for a title hat-trick, will be joined by 2001 winner Ai Miyazato, Paula Creamer, and Choi Na-yoen.
An “Exotic Thai” charity night will be held on the eve of the tournament to promote Thai culture, said Honda Automobile (Thailand) executive vice president Pitak Pruittisarikorn.
“It will feature a variety of activities plus an auction, with all proceeds donated to the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre, which helps lift local communities’ standard of living while preserving local arts and handicrafts,” he said.
Honda has also dangled the prize of a Bt1,524,000, 4-wheel drive CR-V for any golfer who scores a hole-in-one .
Tickets are available at ThaiTicketMajor, with free entry for under-18s and over-60s.
The tournament will be broadcast live on Channel 7.
