Atthaya, Ko chase Honda LPGA title
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Atthaya, Ko chase Honda LPGA title

11 Thais in field at Siam Country Club

World No.4 Atthaya Thitikul holds a birthday cake at Siam Country Club yesterday.
World No.4 Atthaya Thitikul holds a birthday cake at Siam Country Club yesterday.

The star-studded Honda LPGA Thailand 2023, led by world No.1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand and home hope Atthaya Thitikul, tees off today at Siam Country Club in Pattaya.

The US$1.7 million event also features world No.2 Nelly Korda from the US, No.3 Minjee Lee of Australia, No.5 Ko Jin-Young of South Korea and No.7 Brooke Henderson of Canada.

Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark will defend the title.

There are 11 Thais in the field -- world No.4 Atthaya, major winners Patty Tavatanakit and Ariya Jutanugarn, Moriya Jutanugarn, Pornanong Phatlum, Pajaree Anannarukarn, Wichanee Meechai, Chanettee Wannasaen, Jaravee Boonchant, Arpichaya Yubol, and Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, who won the qualifying tournament.

But all eyes will be on 2022 LPGA rookie of the year Atthaya, who turned 20 on Monday.

"It feels like a really special week for me, and also for all the Thai players, who will be playing in front of the home fans," said Atthaya of Ratchaburi.

"I have just changed my driver, and it has been working well. Hopefully, it will be good this year with it. I have also been working with my coach to get some more distance, so let's hope it will be OK."

Atthaya, who has claimed two LPGA titles, came close to winning the Honda LPGA Thailand in 2021 when she lost to Ariya by one shot.

Ariya remains the only Thai winner of the tournament.

In the first two rounds of the 16th edition of the event, former world No.1 Atthaya will play alongside Korda and Lee in first two rounds of the second tournament of the 2023 LPGA Tour season.

Olympic champion Korda said she was looking forward to the challenge at Siam Country Club and keen on consolidating her good start to the season.

Thai players, from left, Arpichaya Yubol, Chanettee Wannasaen, Moriya Jutanugarn, Patty Tavatanakit and Ariya Jutanugarn pose at a press conference yesterday ahead of the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Thai players, from left, Arpichaya Yubol, Chanettee Wannasaen, Moriya Jutanugarn, Patty Tavatanakit and Ariya Jutanugarn pose at a press conference yesterday ahead of the Honda LPGA Thailand.

"I'm super excited. I played here in 2017 and '18 and I haven't been back since," said the American, who finished fourth at the season-opening Tournament of Champions last month.

"I love this golf course. I played pretty well out here. I enjoy coming to Thailand. I like playing in hot weather. Also, the people here are very nice. It's a very enjoyable trip overseas."

Two-time major winner Lee will be making her season debut at the Honda LPGA Thailand.

"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," said the Australian.

Newly-wed Ko of New Zealand is in confident mood after winning the Saudi Ladies International on Sunday.

"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," said the top-ranked star.

Ko tied the knot with Chung Jun, son of a prominent Korean businessman, in her birthplace Seoul in December.

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