AUGUSTA, GA – The awards just keep coming for Ariya Jutanugarn.
The 2015 rookie made history last season in becoming the first player from Thailand to capture one of golf’s major championships when she won the RICOH Women’s British Open. It was one of five wins for the world No. 3 who also swept the entire month of May on Tour. She took home the season’s top honors – Rolex Rookie of the Year and $1 million dollar Race to CME Globe.
Wednesday evening in Augusta, Jutanugarn attended the annual dinner held by the Golf Writers Association of America to receive their award for Female Player of the Year in recognition of her performance last season.
Jutanugarn was introduced by Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols, who shared a story about giving Jutanugarn a ride to a shoot for an instructional article being written for the publication. Then, a video highlighting her accomplishments over the 2016 season was shown on large screens. With speech in hand, Jutanugarn took to the platform to recognize those who had made the most impact on her life and career. First, she recognized the absence of Arnold Palmer, whose presence she believed could be felt in the room. Then, she discussed the hardships she overcame in coping with a shoulder injury and her refusal to give up faith she would be able to make her dreams come true. She promised to continue to play her best golf possible and thanked her instructor Gary Gilchrist for his help. Jutanugarn also thanked her parents and her sister.
Jutanugarn was joined by her sister and fellow LPGA professional, Moriya, as well as her mother, who stayed for the entire evening’s festivities – which included recognizing fellow professionals Bernhard Langer, Stewart Cink and Ben Crenshaw. Dustin Johnson, who received the GWAA's Male Player of the Year award, was unable to attend due to an accident Wednesday afternoon in which he fell down a flight of stairs.
Thursday, Jutanugarn and her family made their first visit to Augusta National Golf Club.
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