World-class field lines up for Honda LPGA Thailand 2023

The Honda LPGA Thailand 2023, the second event on this year's LPGA Tour schedule, will feature the best players in women’s golf, including hometown favourite and world number four Atthaya Thitikul, who will be aiming to make her mark on one of the more popular tournaments of the season.

The two-time Tour winner and reigning Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year will spearhead the local challenge in a world-class field at the US$1.7 million tournament, and a hole-in-one prize, the Honda Accord e:HEV, e:HEV TECH variant worth 1,799,000THB.
 

There will be a galaxy of international stars on parade, led by Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand. Playing alongside the New Zealander in Pattaya, will be the United States' world number two Nelly Korda, Australian Minjee Lee (ranked third in the world), Jin Young Ko of South Korea (ranked No. 5 in the world rankings), and Canadian Brooke Henderson (ranked No. 6), who won the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida, last month.

Thailand will have a formidable contingent at Siam Country Club for the showdown from Feb 23 to 26 2023. Major champions Patty Tavatanakit, who won the Chevron Championship in 2021, and Ariya Jutanugarn, who clinched the 2016 Women's British Open and 2018 U.S. Women's Open, will also be in the 72-strong field. Ariya's sister and multiple LPGA Tour winner Moriya Jutanugarn, Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, who won the National Qualifiers at Siam Country Club Rolling Hills last month, Pornanong Phatlum, Wichanee Meechai, Chanettee Wannasaen, Jaravee Boonchant and Arpichaya Yubol, among others, will also showcase Thailand's talent in a global arena. Pajaree Anannarukarn, the 2021 ISPS Handa World Invitational winner, will also be vying for the title in Pattaya.

In the hunt for a repeat victory will be defending champion Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark, while among the Sponsors' Invitees are fan favourites and rising golf talents of Japan, who include 2022 US Amateur Winner, Saki Baba, and twin sisters Chisato Iwai and Akie Iwai who have made a name for themselves at the JLPGA Tour, all of whom will get the opportunity to compete on a world-class stage.

Twenty-year-old Atthaya Thitikul, leading the way for the Thai players, said: "It feels like a really special week for me, and also for all the Thai players, who will be playing in front of the fans here in Thailand. I have some good memories here, so it's nice to be back. I just changed my driver, and it worked well last month. Hopefully it will be good this year with it. I have been working also with my coach to get some more distance, so let’s hope it will be ok."

Just married and coming off a big win at the Saudi Ladies International, Lydia Ko said: “I putted really well last week and I think that was kind of the key for me to be able to win. I'm playing three weeks in a row and then taking a week off and then playing another one, so hopefully I can continue that good momentum here and not take anything for granted. I've been very thankful for the things that have happened in my life both on and off the golf course. I think a lot of great things that happened has helped me to like just kind of have more fun out here.”

World No. 2 Nelly Korda said she too was looking forward to the challenge posed by Siam Country Club and was keen on consolidating her good start to the season. "I'm super excited. I played here in 2017 and '18 (cancelled in '19), so I haven't been back since.

“I love this golf course. I played pretty well out here. I enjoy coming to Thailand. I like playing in hot weather, and also the people are very nice. It's a very enjoyable trip overseas," said Korda, who finished fourth at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Minjee Lee, ranked third in the world, will be making her season debut at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2023. The Australian said: "Yeah, the course is in great condition. I played both nines now, and I think it's going to be a great tournament. Hopefully a lot of people can come out and watch. It's just really nice to be starting the year here. I always love coming back to Thailand. The food, the atmosphere is always amazing.”

About the course and her, Minjee added: “I think it's a very ball-striking golf course, so obviously the second shot is really important. That's where I feel quite confident in terms of my game. I just think it really benefits me - this type of golf course benefits my game, I think that's why I like it."

Defending champion Nanna Koerstz Madsen said: "It's just been great coming back here. I love being here in Thailand. It's awesome coming back to where I won. Last year was definitely a big win - to see myself winning out here. It gave me a lot of confidence, yeah, obviously in the playoff . The course is in good shape. It's still playing a little softer than '21, so I think we'll still see some very low scores out there.”

The Honda LPGA Thailand 2023 will be held from February 23 to 26 at Siam Country Club Old Course in Pattaya Chonburi Province. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at https://hondalpgathailand.com/. Bangkok Bank cardholders can also enjoy an additional 10% discount on all tickets purchased online or on-site.

For more information and updates on the Honda LPGA Thailand 2023, visit www.hondalpgathailand.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lpgaThailand or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hondalpgathailand.