Chonlada has dream debut at Thailand Championship 

The 24-year-old from Nakhon Ratchasima, who turned professional last year after graduating from Iowa State University, emerged as the surprise leader in the LET event, which has returned to the Kingdom for the first time in a decade. She had five birdies against one bogey. “I’m happy with my drives. I hit 13 fairways, missing only one. I hit 14 greens and made the putts,” said Chonlada, whose best result was a runners-up position in the Thai LPGA event at Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club in May.

“It was difficult on the back nine because of the winds. The greens are tough with tricky breaks,” said the Thai, who played down the pressure of leading an event on her debut.
“I look at it as just another tournament. I will not let the pressure get the better of me. I will try to keep the momentum going into the next round.”

Menendez, who will turn 26 in eight days, had five birdies to take the outright lead after 14 holes before she stumbled with her first bogey on the 16th and had to settle for joint lead.
“I’m proud of the way I finished the round today. This is a course you have to plan on a lot, and I was doing that well,” said Menendez who re-earned her Tour card after finishing tied 21st in the Lalla Aicha Tour School Final Qualifying in Morocco.
“Last year I was the only Mexican on the Tour. I didn’t know a lot of the girls. I was a little overwhelmed and started losing my confidence. But I’m happy with my work during the |offseason. I feel better this year and I hope to play steadier,” said the Mexican, whose best result last year was a tied 32nd position in the Lalla Meryem Cup. Two shots behind was 14-year-old amateur Atthaya Thitikul, who had four birdies against two bogeys for a 70.

“I’m happy with my score. My putter was so good. I was a bit nervous but I played the LPGA Thailand before which was by far the biggest tournament for me. I tried to use the experience from that week and hope to make the cut,” said the Thai teenager, who finished 37th in an LPGA event at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course earlier this year.
Germany’s Karolin Lampert and Madelene Stavnar of Norway each shot a 71 to trail the leaders by three strokes.
Another rising star, Pajaree Anannarukarn, fired a birdie on the finishing hole to finish her opening day with an even-par score along with Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro, Germany’s Olivia Cowan, Luna Sobron of Spain, Sarah Schober of Austria and Jessica Karlsson of Sweden.