Honda LPGA Thailand
Siam Country Club, Pattaya Old Course
Chonburi, Thailand
Tuesday Pre-Tournament Notes
February 24, 2015

The LPGA Tour returns to the Siam Country Club, Pattaya Old Course this week for the Honda LPGA Thailand. It is the ninth consecutive year that Honda has served as the title sponsor for this great event. Anna Nordqvist returns to defend her title against a field that includes 16 out of the top-20 players in the Rolex Rankings and past winners of this event Inbee Park (2013), Yani Tseng (2012, 2011), Ai Miyazato (2010) and Suzann Pettersen (2009).

“I have great memories here.” Defending champ Anna Nordqvist said. “This place meant so much to me last year and coming back here I remember a lot of the shots I hit and I remember a lot of the good moments. I sure have a big smile on my face this week. “

Rookie and Evian Championship winner Hyo Joo Kim makes her 2015 LPGA debut this week while fellow rookie and 2015 Bahamas LPGA Classic winner Sei Young Kim will be looking for tournament title No. 2. Last week’s runner-up at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, Amy Yang, is looking for her second career LPGA victory. Pornanong Phatlum (No. 28), sisters Ariya (No. 44) and Moriya Jutanugarn (No. 105) and sponsor invite Thidapa Suwannapura (No. 129) are Thai natives looking to become the first woman from Thailand to win on the LPGA Tour.

In the first three events of 2015, there have been two South Korean (Na Yeon Choi and Sei Young Kim) winners and one Kiwi (Lydia Ko) this season. the average age of those three winners is 22 years of age.

JUTANUGARN CLINIC
Ariya Jutanugarn knows first hand what an important influence an LPGA player can make on a young golfer. As a young golfer, she was fortunate to attend a clinic run by an accomplished LPGA player.

“When I was younger, I went to a clinic with Cristie Kerr and I felt like it helped me a lot.” Jutanugarn said. “And to now be able to help someone else makes me feel so good.”

When asked if she was going to tell Cristie Kerr that she helped her as a young golfer Jutanugarn laughed and said. “No, I don’t think she would remember. That was a long time ago.”

On the driving range today, Jutanugarn hosted a golf clinic for special guests of Honda, the title sponsor of the tournament this week. Roughly 20 Honda guests were able to meet with Jutanugarn and learn from the No. 44 ranked player in the world.

“Right now I have the chance to help somebody and it feels so good.” Jutanugarn described of the experience. “I can help them know more golf and if they feel like they have something to ask they can ask me.”

Playing in her native Thailand means there will be extra demands for her time but she’s thankful and excited for the chance to play here.

“All my fans here are cheering for me and I am really greatful to come here and play here and this is my seventh year playing the event. My schedule is really busy this week. I have something every morning and afternoon but I enjoy it a lot. Everything I do is for the sponsor because they invite me and I am happy about that.” Jutanugarn said.

THAI LOOK PRETTY
LPGA players Anna Nordqvist, So Yeon Ryu, Belen Mozo, Pornanong Phaltum, Cheyenne Woods and Moriya Jutanugarn took part in a photo shoot today in Thailand. The players dressed in clothing from the King Rama V era in Thai history. In 2014, the players dressed in authentic Thai dresses but this year the tournament wanted to show a different era in the history.

This era of dress reflects a golden era in Thai culture that mixed traditional Thai clothing with more or a Western/Victorian style. It did catch the players off guard when they were shown what to wear. Most were expecting the traditional dresses that players have worn in the past, but were pleasantly surprised with the style that was chosen.

“I love learning about different cultures so taking part in a photo shoot like this is a fun time.” Anna Nordqvist said after the photo shoot finished. “I didn’t know what to expect as far as what we would wear but I was very happy to be a part of it.”

Also the tallest member of the group, defending champion Nordqvist, sat in the middle of the other players during the shoot and was constantly reminded to sit up even more straight than she was.

“I never heard my posture was bad before today but I guess it gives me something to work towards.” Nordqvist joked after the shoot was over about the challenges of posing that long.

The players enjoyed the experience and the chance to learn about new cultures.

“I think it’s interesting to find out about different cultures so getting dressed up like this is fun.” Belen Mozo said.

NUMBERS TO KNOW
0- Number of times a player from Thailand has won an LPGA event
7 - There have been seven different winners of the Honda LPGA Thailand. Only Yani Tseng has won the event more than once (2011-2012)
6- Number of countries represented within the top 10 of the Rolex Rankings
9 - This is the ninth edition of the Honda LPGA Thailand, which began in 2006
15- Number of countries the LPGA plays in
16- This week, 16 of the top 20 in the Rolex Rankings will play
28- Pornanong Phatlum’s Rolex Ranking, the highest ranked Thai player
22- The average age of the three winners (Na Yeon Choi, Sei Young Kim and Lydia Ko) in 2015

Honda LPGA Thailand Pre-Tournament Notes

Related Articles