World’s Top Female Golfers Set to Tee Off in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2019

Thursday 21 February 2019 16:23
The prestigious, high-stakes international women's golf tournament, Honda LPGA Thailand 2019, is ready for lift-off tomorrow and features the world's best players.

From February 21 to 24, the Siam Country Club Pattaya will host Thailand's most prestigious and lucrative golf tournament, which has a fully loaded purse of $US1.6 million (about 53 million baht).

Making an appearance are five of the top-ranked players on the lady's golf scene – Thailand's very own golf sensation and world No. 1 player Ariya Jutanugarn, former world No.1 Sung Hyun Park of South Korea, her compatriot and six-time LPGA champion So Yeon Ryu, and Australia's four-time LPGA champion Minjee Lee.

These bright stars in the world of women's golf all expressed their intention to shine as brightly as possible during the exciting four days ahead, and how impressed they were with the country club's facilities, the Old Course's conditions and the Thai hospitality they have experienced so far this year.

World No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn, said the course was a familiar one for her. "It's nice to be home. We have the best weather, courses and hospitality. I have come here to play about 10 times already, but I still get nervous in front of home crowds," she said on Wednesday. "I gave out about 100 tickets to friends and I'm hoping many of them will turn up."

When asked if she would be using her driver in the tournament – a club she has not been confident hitting in the past – Ariya admitted she had been using her driver in practice and trying to build up her confidence with the club. "But wait and see if I use the driver this week," she said.

Sung Hyun Park said she was well rested after a break. "I rested for a month but practiced a lot. It would be great to have another win. Last year was a lot of pressure and this year I want to make myself more confident."

So Yeon Ryu said she was also well rested after a break spent in Dallas in the United States. "I had six weeks off, golf free, and I was in Dallas where it was really cold. I feel good being here and it's nice to be back in warm weather."

Minjee Lee said she was looking forward to the competition. "The crowds here are great and they really cheer you on."

The Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 will feature 70 female golfers, including 57 professionals from the 2019 LPGA Priority List, the winner of the 2019 ISPS Handa Vic Open and the 2019 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open, the winner of 2019 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, as well as nine invited players, including Atthaya "Jean" Thitikul, Pajaree "Meow" Anannarukarn, Pannarat "Saipan" Thanapolboonyaras, and Benyapa "Gift" Niphatsophon, the winner of the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifier.

Thailand is well represented in the tournament and local crowds will no doubt be cheering on their home players.

The Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 is organized by IMG with Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd as the title sponsor, and supported by many partners including the Sports Tourism Authority of Thailand, National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), Tourism Authority of Thailand, Betagro Group, Siam Daikin Sales Co., Ltd, EVA Airways Corporation, Siam GS Sales Co., Ltd, etc. Officially broadcasting the Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 will be MCOT Channel 30.

Broadcasting Details Channel 9 MCOT HD

Thursday – Friday : 11.00 – 12.00 hrs. and 13.00 – 15.00 hrs.

Saturday : 13.00 – 15.30 hrs.

Sunday : 13.00 – 16.00 hrs.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.hondalpgathailand.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lpgaThailand.