In her third appearance in the Honda LPGA Thailand, Bangkok native Pajaree Anannarukarn had nothing to lose heading into the final day at Siam Country Club. Starting in a tie for 36th, the 21-year-old recorded her four birdies in her first six holes. By the day’s end, Anannarukarn closed with a career-low bogey-free 63 to earn her second-best career finish on Tour, a tie for 13th at -15.
“Obviously really glad I finish all four days. I mean, it was a great week so far. Really enjoy it, especially having my dad on the bag this week. I really enjoy my time out there, especially today. Hit a lot of good shots, really good,” said Anannarukarn, who also recorded her career-best 72-hole score this week (273). “I gave myself a lot of good up and down and then good spot where I missed the hole. I think it's just really the key is just to stay patient out there. Really I really improved from the first three rounds and I think, yeah, I been hitting it well so far.”
It was a day, and week, that Anannarukarn refused to take for granted. The young Thai grew up watching the tournament from the gallery with her parents, and now with her father on the bag, she was immensely proud to represent her home country with family by her side. She even remembers first meeting this year’s champion, Ariya Jutanugarn, as a junior golfer by the rope line in Chonburi.
“Obviously the first time I met Ariya was like nine years old and she was already played -- she was an amateur, but she already play against the world’s best players. I really admired her growing up watching her. It's always feel good coming here, and to be back here playing, you know, it just always feel great,” said Anannarukarn. “I feel very motivated to be here. I mean, really thankful and humble to be able to be here. Every year each year, always feel thankful.”