Paphangkorn, Atthaya fired up
SINGAPORE: Paphangkorn ‘Patty’ Tavatanakit and Atthaya Thitikul will lead the Thai challenge in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) golf championship, which tees off on the New Tanjong course at Sentosa Golf Club today.
The 72-hole event, which ends on Saturday, features 83 players from 18 nations, with more than half of the field being 18 years old or under, and ages ranging from 13 to 25.
The field features 15 players from the top 100 of the world amateur golf ranking, including the Thai duo.
The winner will earn invitations to two majors — the ANA Inspiration (March 29-Apr 1) and the Women’s British Open (Aug 2-5) — as well as next week’s HSBC Women’s World Championship, also at Sentosa Golf Club.
World No.13 Paphangkorn is the tournament’s highest-ranked player who last year competed at three major championships — the ANA Inspiration, US Women’s Open and Evian Championship.
The Thai started playing college golf at the University of California, Los Angeles, last year and her impressive results since joining the UCLA Bruins included a tie for first at the Stanford Intercollegiate in October.
“I’m loving college so far and I’m really pleased with my results since I started,” Paphangkorn said at yesterday’s press conference. “I’ve prepared myself pretty well in terms of getting ready for this week, physically and mentally.
“At the end of the day, it’s a new experience that I can learn from, so I just hope to do my best. I’m trying to, not think too much about winning, and I’m just so glad to come back to Asia, see my parents again and enjoy this week.”
Atthaya, ranked 53rd, won the SEA Games individual gold in Malaysia last August and is one of two players in this week’s field who have won professional events.
Last July, Atthaya succeeded Lydia Ko as the youngest-ever winner on the Ladies European Tour when she won the Ladies European Thailand Championship at 14 years, four months and 19 days.
“It was a really big surprise. It made me feel more confident about my game,” said Atthaya, who turned 15 yesterday. “I’m excited about this week because all the top players from the Asia-Pacific countries are here. I’m not thinking about winning, just doing my best.”