Yang Hee-young "Thailand is the Land of Promise"... Kim Hyo-joo "Go for 2 Consecutive Wins"

Honda LPGA Thailand 4th Victory Bid, Kim Hyoju's 2nd Consecutive Win Challenge, Home Course 'Super Rookie' Tawatthanakit Warning

Yang Hee-young aims for her 4th victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Yang Hee-young (32, Woori Financial Group) likes Thailand.

She always soared whenever she went there. She won the Honda LPGA Thailand (total prize money $1.6 million), established in 2006, in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Out of her four LPGA Tour wins, she swept three in Thailand. This year, she will challenge for another "stepping stone victory" at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course (par 72, 6,576 yards) in Chonburi, Thailand, starting on the 6th. Due to COVID-19, last year's tournament was canceled, so she enters as the defending champion.

Yang Hee-young is synonymous with consistency. She debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2008 and has showcased top-level skills for 14 years. Her prime was in 2015, when she entered the top 10 nine times, including one win, finishing 6th in earnings ($1,438,312). Since then, she has maintained a ranking between 10th and 20th in earnings. Last year, she struggled somewhat amid the COVID-19 situation. She made the cut 10 times in 13 tournaments, with her best results being tied for 15th at the Diamond Resorts Tournament and ANA Inspiration.

Her earnings dropped to 66th place ($171,438). This is why she is determined to work hard this year. Her season start is not bad. She earned prize money six times in seven tournaments. Last month, she tied for 10th at the Lotte Championship, and last week, she performed well with a tie for 12th at the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore. She has been on an upward trend with three consecutive days under par. She is determined to stand at the top again after two years on the "promised land."

Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte) is aiming for her second consecutive win. She shot 8 under par on the final day at the HSBC Women's World Championship to secure a one-stroke victory. This is her fourth career win, coming five years and three months after the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic in February 2016. Last year, she regained lost confidence by winning twice on the domestic circuit. She said, "I am as happy as when I first won," and explained, "I have done a lot of exercise and training, and my driving distance has improved."

Patty Tavatanakit of the home course is a dark horse at the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Patty Tavatanakit, the home course player, is a dark horse. She is a "super rookie" who surprised everyone by winning the major ANA Inspiration last month with powerful long drives. At the HSBC Women's World Championship, she shot 7 under par on the final day to jump to a tie for 3rd place. Korea is represented by Yoo So-yeon (31, Mediheal), Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group), Lee Jeong-eun 6 (25, Daebang Construction), and Park Sung-hyun (28). World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (26) and No. 2 Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group) have chosen to rest.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.