Jutanugarn sisters to launch professional careers at Honda LPGA Thailand
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Teenagers Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn are hoping for a flying start to their professional careers when they take on a world-class field in the Honda LPGA Thailand event at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course on February 21-24.
Moriya, 18, and her sister Ariya, 17, have dominated international amateur and junior golf in recent years and, after turning professional in December, are now tipped to become major stars.
Their huge potential is no secret. At the end of last season Moriya tied for first place at the LPGA qualifying school to secure her card for 2013, while Ariya won the qualifying school for the Ladies European Tour by an impressive five strokes.
Next month’s US$1.5-million Honda tournament will showcase the top 60 LPGA players including defending champion and world No 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan and last year’s runner-up, Ai Miyazato from Japan.
Other big attractions include Korean stars, Choi Na-yeon, currently world no 2, and Inbee Park, Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer from the US and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen.
“Playing professionally on the LPGA Tour has been a lifelong dream for me and I can’t wait to get started,’’ said Moriya after signing a marketing contract with IMG earlier this month.
Ariya, who also signed up with IMG, was equally enthusiastic. “It is a very exciting time for my sister and I. Many strong young players are helping to make golf more popular and we will be thrilled to be part of it.’’
Moriya, who in 2008 at the age of 14 became the first female to win the British Junior Open, also won the amateur honours at the 2011 US Women’s Open, where she finished 33rd overall. The same year saw her runner-up at the US Women’s Amateur Championship.
Moriya has played the Honda tournament on three previous occasions, with her best finish of 38th coming in 2011. Ariya has been named Rolex Junior Player of the Year for two years running and was the leading amateur in the 2011 Kraft Nabisco tournament, finishing 21st overall.
In 2012, Ariya enjoyed a truly outstanding year in the US which included wins at the Junior PGA Championship, Thunderbird International Junior, Rolex Girls Junior Championship, Women’s Western Amateur, Canadian Women’s Amateur, the AJGA Polo Junior Golf Classic and her European qualifying school triumph.
The gifted Ariya has played in the Honda event for the last four years, with her best finish of tied eighth coming in 2011. Although she has to qualify for this year’s tournament, it should not be a problem.
Along with Tseng, previous winners are Ai Miyazato (2010), Lorena Ochoa (2009), Suzann Petterson (2007) and Hee Won Han (2006).
Tickets from ThaiTicketMajor.com are Bt300 for each of the first two rounds, Bt400 for the third round and Bt500 for the final round. A four-day ticket is Bt800 (free admission for under-18s and over-60s).
