Park and past champs come back for LPGA Thailand

Japan’s Ai Miyazato, the 2010 victor; Tseng Yani, who won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012; and the 25-year-old Park are some of the big names featuring in the LPGA event. Park was awarded a stunning gift by Ariya Jutanugarn 12 months ago when the nervous Thai, holding a two-shot advantage at the last hole, committed a triple bogey on the 18th. Park went on to win three majors in a single season, missing out only on the Open and the Evian Championship, which were won by Stacy Lewis and Suzann Pettersen respectively. Last year, she collected six LPGA titles including the North Texas LPGA Shootout and Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Unsurprisingly, she was named Player of the Year and was the first player since Lorena Ochoa in 2008 to win three Grand Slam events in a single season. 

Teenage prodigy Lydia Ko of New Zealand, fans’ favourite Paula Creamer and Australian Karrie Webb, who on Sunday won the Australian Open, have already arrived.

Today Park along with Thai No 1 Pornanong Phatlum and No 2 Ariya will dress up in traditional Thai costumes as part of a promotional activity.

The top 60 players on the LPGA plus 10 invitees will battle it out in the eighth edition of the tournament. A special prize of a Honda Accord 2.4 EL Navi, worth over Bt1.66 million, will be awarded to any player achieving a hole-in-one on the 16th hole.

Tickets for the first and second rounds are available at Bt300, third day at Bt400 and Bt500 for the final day. A four-day ticket is Bt800 while those under 18 and over 60 

are exempt from the entry fee. For further information contact (02) 262 3456 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com.