Chanettee Wannasaen has struggled in her rookie campaign, and before her win at the Portland Classic, she had made only three cuts in 11 total starts, earning just $4,586 this year. She even needed to Monday qualify to gain entry into that tournament.
But this week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 19-year-old has continued to turn her rookie season around, and with seven birdies and a bogey on Friday to post a 6-under 66 and move to 8-under total, Wannasaen sits in a share of eighth with 36 holes to play at the Maybank Championship, well on her way to another solid finish.
“Actually, today is very perfect shot for me because I got six birdies in a row,” said Wannasaen. “That very perfect on today for my short game. I think normally I can play this course – I think I can play really good, but yesterday I got a lot of bogey. But today, it's perfect for me.”
Since becoming a Rolex First-Time Winner, the rookie has gained confidence in her game, making five cuts in the six starts since her victory in August. Today's 66 ties Wannasaen's third-lowest round on the LPGA Tour, and it is the first time that the Thailand native has shot a round of 66 or better since she posted a final-round 63 to earn her first LPGA Tour win in Portland, Ore.
"I got more confident from the Portland, and I don't worry about my ranking at all,” said Wannasaen. “Just do the best on every tournament I play.”
She noted that Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club is playing a little shorter than Columbia Edgewater Country Club did a couple of months ago, but Wannasean feels like there are a few similarities between the two courses. She took full advantage of the soft greens, hitting 16 of 18 putting surfaces on day two, which has been a key to her success this week. She has also been putting well, needing an average of just 27 putts in the first two rounds to post a 36-hole total of 8-under.
But there are two days left to play at the Maybank Championship, and Wannasaen is looking to build off the momentum she found on Friday as she works toward a second victory over the weekend in Malaysia.
"I want to win. I want to have a second win for my rookie this year because I want to play in CME (Group Tour Championship) in the next two weeks," said Wannasaen, who is currently ranked 57th in the Race to the CME Globe.
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