TAVATANAKIT ‘SPEECHLESS’ AFTER CLUTCH WIN AT HOME
Local favourite Patty Tavatanakit held off a fast-finishing Albane Valenzuela to clinch the LPGA Thailand by one stroke on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Bangkok native showcased her prowess with a brilliant approach shot to tap in an easy birdie on the final hole to card a final round 67, finishing at 21 under-par-267 at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course.
“I’m honestly speechless. I was so nervous today and choked a bit as there are many Thai fans showing up to support me,” said Tavatanakit, whose triumph marked her second LPGA victory since her win at the ANA Inspiration in 2021.
“It’s a dream come true to win a home tournament in front of my parents.”
Brooke Henderson, the lone Canadian in the field of 71, finished tied for ninth. Rounds of 67-70-68-68 saw her finish at 15 under, six shots back of Tavatanakit.
Tavatanakit has been riding a wave of success, having triumphed at the Ladies European Tour in Saudi Arabia seven days ago. Ranked 43rd in the world, she joins former world No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn as the second local champion of this tournament, following Jutanugarn’s victory in 2021.
Ranked 91st in the world, Valenzuela carded a brilliant 63, including an eagle on the fifth hole and seven birdies — six on the back nine — finishing at 20 under-par-268.
“I gave it my all out there. I’m proud of my performance,” the 26-year-old Swiss said.
Sei Young Kim of South Korea, the 2020 Women’s PGA Championship winner, closed with a solid 65, ending with a total of 18 underpar-270, tying for third place alongside her compatriot Hye-jin Choi, who posted a 66.
LPGA tournaments are also scheduled over the next two weeks in Singapore and China.
Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina ran off four straight birdies on the back nine Saturday and closed with a 3-under 70 for a one-shot victory in the Trophy Hassan II, giving him membership on the PGA Tour Champions for the first time.
Gonzalez got into the field — the only PGA Tour Champions event outside North America except for the Senior British Open — by finishing among the top four on the European Legends Tour last season. He made it pay off in a big way.
His birdie streak began on the 13th hole, and two closing pars gave him a one-shot victory over Thomas Bjorn, who needed birdie on the par-5 closing hole at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam to force a playoff. Bjorn shot 69.
Y.E. Yang, who shared the 36-hole lead with Gonzalez, had a 73 and tied for third with Mark Hensby, who closed with a 71.
Calgary’s Stephen Ames was even after a 73 to tie for 16th.
Gonzalez was a four-time winner on the European tour. He finished at 10-under 209 and won US$320,000 from the Us$2-million purse. Just as valuable was an exemption on tour.
“I’m feeling so good, so good, so big and now playing the tour everybody like to play, no?” he said. “Everybody like to play in the Champions Tour and one of the lucky men to get in there.”
Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera, in his first PGA Tour Champions event since he was released from two years in prison for gender violence, shot 70 and tied for 27th. Cabrera is set to play in the Argentina Open next week on the Korn Ferry Tour.