THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

MORIYA’S MAIDEN title a triumph for family and Thai sport

MORIYA’S MAIDEN title a triumph for family and Thai sport

MORIYA JUTANUGARN finally emerged from the shadow of her more successful sister Ariya by landing her maiden title in the United States yesterday (Thailand time) – and in doing so, etched the family’s name into the sport’s history books.

The 23-year-old from Bangkok triumphed in one of the biggest events on the women’s tour, the Los Angeles Open, fully six years after turning professional and five years after being named 2013 Rookie of the Year.

In doing so Moriya and her younger Ariya have joined Annika Sorenstam, the former world No 1, and Charlotta as the only sisters to have ever won on the LPGA, the toughest tour in women’s golf. Her victory sparked an outpouring of emotion and jubilation.

MORIYA’S MAIDEN title a triumph for family and Thai sport

Ariya herself had also been competing in Los Angeles and rushed to embrace her sister by the side of the 18th green. Thailand’s top male golfer, world No 31 Kiradech Aphibarnran, who has been home for an extended Songkran holiday and watched a live broadcast of Moriya’s final round, immediately took to social media to offer his wholehearted congratulations.

“Congrats to my lovely sister @mo_moriya – she has finally won on the LPGA tour. Well done, great work, [I’m] very happy for you and your whole family,” he enthused. Moriya has not only had to bide her time in the face of the doubters, she has had to watch her younger sister lap up all the praise and headlines. When Ariya played her first LPGA event at home as a qualifier aged 11 in 2007 Moriya, 13 months her elder, dutifully acted as caddie for her younger sister, who even then seemed destined to hog the limelight. Sure enough, by the end of 2017 she had already bagged seven LPGA victories, while Moriya had only two runners-up finishes to her name.

MORIYA’S MAIDEN title a triumph for family and Thai sport

Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand is presented the winner's check by, President and CEO JTBC Plus, Seon Gwan Hong.

Two years ago Ariya also became the first Thai player of either gender to win a major tournament – the British Open – and last year rose to world No 1. She is now world No 6, 11 places higher than Moriya.

Described by her father Somboon as the more prudent and pensive of the two, Moriya should have gained recognition earlier, but too much thinking slowed her down – until yesterday. There was no trace of any mental lapse in the final round in LA where she remained calm throughout the 18 holes despite being chased by the two South Korean stars, Inbee Park, the former world No 1, and Ko Jin-young. She eventually saw them off by two strokes.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a very long time,” said Moriya. “I surely wouldn’t have been able to do it without my sister and my mother Narumon Tiwattanasuk,” she posted on her Facebook. A tearful Ariya said she was thankful to have been there for her sister and thus returned the favour to Moriya, who watched her win seven times before her own breakthrough.

MORIYA’S MAIDEN title a triumph for family and Thai sport

“I think my mother and sister were more excited and cried more than I did,” Moriya added. “I knew my time would come. I just had to be patient and keep on working hard. It all worked out pretty good this week,” added Moriya. Although it took her so much longer to win, Moriya was never bothered by her slower path to success or by the fact that people tried to compare her with Ariya.

“People are different. Some people take longer [to achieve things]. I have my own way of doing things and she has hers,” added Moriya, who is US$225,000 richer for her success.

Ariya said she was so proud to see her sister’s hard work finally pay off. “It’s been the goal of the family to see us win on the LPGA. I’ve learned a lot from her. But the most important thing is we never compare each other. We just keep working hard and let the results speak for themselves,” she said.

MORIYA’S MAIDEN title a triumph for family and Thai sport

Ariya Jutanugarn when she won her first title in 2016

Moriya moves to her career highest at No 11 in the world this week following the victory. She and Ariya are now in San Francisco for another LPGA tournament. 

 

nationthailand