“Lydia Ko” expects lots of fun in the Honda LPGA THAILAND 2017

 “Honda LPGA THAILAND 2017” is a world-class female professional golf tournament held by Bangkok Broadcasting & TV Co., Ltd. (BBTV Channel 7) and Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course, Chonburi, Thailand, on 23-26 February 2017. The total prize money is 1.6 million USD (approximately 57 million Thai Baht), with interesting prizes such as a new Honda Civic TURBO RS worth 1,199,000 THB for the first player to score a Hole-In-One at Hole-16 during tournament day.

Lydia Ko, the 20-year-old New Zealander  who won 4 times on the LPGA Tour in 2016, including 1 major title, recently said, “I’m so excited to be back in Thailand this year for the first time since 2014 as I had to compete in the national tournament in my home country for the past 2 years at the same time, and now this tournament has been moved to September, I will have more chances to play in Thailand from now on. Thailand is one of our favorite countries to visit and play from the player’s perspective and I have to say Thailand has the best food, tourism and the culture compared to the other countries.”

The Rio 2016 Olympic silver-medalist also mentioned her form after having changed many parts of her game in recent times, “I almost changed everything over the past few years which gives me great excitement and almost makes me feel like I’m back to my rookie year. I do have a strong belief with my new clubs, a new team and a new swing that I’m still learning to adapt, so the main thing is to believe in yourself and have fun on the course. It’s so great to see so many good young players competing at the elite level. I’m not too worry about my ranking but I do need to improve certain points to maintain my position in the upper echelons of the rankings. I really like most of the Thai food dishes, they are so innovative and fresh. I don’t have much time to browse the cities in Thailand when I’m here for the tournament, so will definitely have to come back again with my friends and family for a holiday. During the tournament week, I like to get a traditional Thailand massage which relaxes my body instantly.”

Pornanong Phatlum, the local star player, is in her best form going into her 8^th time at the Honda LPGA THAILAND, and recently told us “I started my season in LPGA Tour by finishing in top-5 in the Bahamas which has lifted my confidence. Now I am preparing myself for the tournament and would like to win the title for Thai fans, but will not put too much pressure on myself. I would like to see any Thai player to win this tournament because it is the only LPGA event in Thailand.”

The 27-year-old world No. 44 finished in a tied-second position in Taiwan to start her year and is in the top-5 on the LPGA Tour due to her performance 3 weeks ago in the Bahamas. Her best performance in the Honda LPGA THAILAND was no. 12 in 2016.

 Golf fans can purchase admission tickets at Thai Ticket Major (Thursday, 23 February and Friday, 24 February : 300 THB/day; Saturday, 25 February : 400 THB; Sunday, 26 February : 500 THB; Four-Day Package : 800 THB. Free entry for children below 18 years old and senior citizens over 60 years old). The gate opening time is at 08.30 hrs. on 23 – 24 February and at 08.00 hrs. on 25 – 26 February. News of Honda LPGA THAILAND 2017 can be found atwww.lpgathailand.com and fanpage : Honda LPGA THAILAND.

Honda LPGA THAILAND 2017 is well supported and sponsored by Honda Automobile (Thailand) Company Limited, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Betagro Public Company Limited, Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, AIS, SIAM GS SALES Company Limited, SIAM DAIKIN SALES Company Limited, Rolex, Siam Country Club Company Limited, Dusit Thani Pattaya, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, HP Inc (Thailand) Limited, First Inter Business Limited, Thainamthip Commercial Company Limited, LG Electronics Thailand Company Limited, CNX Golf Company Limited and Volvik Thailand.