Thailand Ladies Open swings into new era with PTT Global Chemical
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The Thailand Ladies Open has new fuel in the form of PTT Global Chemical sponsorship as the tournament looks to upgrade women's golf in the Kingdom.
The Ladies Open will be played on the Plantation Course at Siam Country Club from November 7 to 9, and will be the 12th leg of the 2013 Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT).
Prize money of US$175,000 has attracted a stellar field including defending champion Nontaya Srisawang of Thailand and compatriots Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai (the 2010 champion), and LPGA Tour star Pornanong Phatlum, winner in 2008.
Also in contention are Thailand’s Patcharachuta Kongkapan, fresh from securing her LPGA Tour card, Tiranan Yoopan and Titiya Plucksataporn. More recent additions to the entry list include South Africa’s Lee-Ann Pace, a seven-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, and rising Australian star Whitney Hillier.
Though this will be the first time PTT Global Chemical have swung behind a sporting event, parent company PTT Group has been a long-term sponsor of the tournament and a supporter of golf in Thailand in general.
“Thailand women’s golf continues to excel and therefore our country’s national Open is an outstanding property for us to be involved with,” said Bowon Vongsinudom, PTT Global Chemical CEO and president.
“At PTT Global Chemical we place a priority on helping women’s professional golf, which has such a positive effect on many people’s lives.”
The tournament is also being powered by co-sponsors including PTT Group, Singha Corporation, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Daikin, and AIG.
“We have many people to thank, principally the Thailand Amateur Ladies Golf Association. They are the guardians of the tournament who have done so much to further golf in our country. We look forward to working with them and helping them to achieve their goals,” added Bowon.
In another first, Golf Channel in Thailand will live-broadcast this, the 26th edition, while Fox Sports will show three one-hour highlight shows.
“We are delighted that PTT Global Chemical will title sponsor the Thailand Ladies Open and we thank them for their support and those of the co-sponsors. Siam Country Club is a world class venue and we can look forward to one of the most successful editions of our tournament,” said Jittakarn Chandraviroj, president, Thailand Ladies Golf Association.
Last year, Nontaya shot a 65 in the final round to storm to victory and become the fifth local winner of the event. Amateur Naree Wongluekiet was the first Thai winner in 2001.
Their names are inscribed on the trophy along with famous winners including Shin Jiyai (2007), Sophie Gustafson (1997) and Laura Davies (1993 and 1994).
Chances of another Thai winner are high as four of the top five players on the LAGT Order of Merit are from Thailand. Pornanong, who claimed this year’s Hitachi Open, currently leads the Merit list with winnings of US$90,045 after nine events this year.
