Sisters target LPGA triumph

The Jutanugarn sisters have their eyes firmly fixed on winning their first ever LPGA crown as they begin this season’s campaign as full members of the LPGA Tour.

Ariya finally joined her older sister as a full-time member thanks to a top-three finish at December’s LPGA qualifying event in Florida, where she fired nine-under-par 351 for third.

The two sisters had never been parted through their junior and amateur careers, either playing together or carrying each other’s bags, until destiny played tricks on them when the more-successful Ariya was sidelined for eight months with a severe shoulder injury sustained in late 2013. Moriya earned her tour card that year and went on to be named Rookie of 2013.

“I felt the pressure when I was supported her in Qualifying School as it was a tough competition. I wanted her to get a spot. It was strange not having her around, after we had always stuck together. Now we get to play together again and I can’t wait for that,” said 20-year-old Moriya.

The precocious Ariya, a year younger, has posted several top-three finishes, including a second place in the 2013 LPGA Thailand. She went on to win her first title in a European Tour event, in Morocco, before the injury in August put her career on hold. She resumed competition in early 2014 but has yet to regain her momentum.

“I didn’t feel confident for most of 2014, until Qualifying School. The injury hasn’t gone away entirely. It’s a lot better but not 100 per cent. But I’m working on my fitness and I hope it will be back to normal by the middle of this year,” said 19-year-old Ariya who, like her sister, has targeted at least one LPGA title win this year. No Thai has ever won an LPGA tournament, though national No 1 Pornanong Phatlum has matched Ariya by finishing runner-up in Malaysia last year.

“I want to reach the top 50, win a tournament and win the Rookie of the Year award like my sister. It will be her third year on the tour so she has plenty of good advice for me,” the younger sibling said.

Moriya shares a coach, Andrew Parker, with Ariya and is keen to help her young sis get up to speed.  

“Playing on the LPGA Tour since 2013, I’ve learned a lot about how to handle different situations and conditions posed by each course. I still have more to learn but I have some experience to share with [Ariya],” said Moriya.

“Since working with Andrew, my game and mental approach have changed. He has helped me change my shape shot and my swing. With Ariya getting a tour card, it will be easier for us to work with him,” said Moriya who is also plays the role of family chef while on tour in the US, getting inspiration from videos posted online.

“As my mother and Ariya don’t cook, I take charge. I get ideas from YouTube and can produce several dishes now – like fried pork with garlic and peppers and chicken basil. But they guarantee my shrimp boiled rice is the best,” Moriya said.

Ariya will start the year without her sister, though, after accepting an invitation to play an event in Taiwan. She will return to Thailand next week before leaving with her sister for their opening LPGA event in Florida. Next for sisters are tournaments in the Bahamas and Melbourne, before they swing back home for the Honda LPGA in Pattaya at the end of February.