Jutanugarn "11th career win in 2 years 10 months"... Thailand sweeps 1st to 3rd place

Honda LPGA Thailand Final Day 9-Under Par 'Comeback Victory', Titikul 2nd, Tawattananakit, Yang Hee-young, and Yoo So-yeon Tied 3rd

Eriya Jutanugarn is smiling brightly after finishing the final day of the Honda LPGA Thailand with a one-stroke lead. Chonburi, Thailand = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The thrilling comeback victory of "Thailand's Park Se-ri," Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand).

On the 9th, at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course (Par 72, 6,576 yards) in Chonburi, Thailand, Ariya Jutanugarn posted a daily best 9-under par on the final day of the LPGA Tour Honda LPGA Thailand (total prize money $1.6 million) to claim a one-stroke victory (22-under par 266). This was her first win in 2 years and 10 months since winning the Scottish Women's Open in July 2018. It marked her 11th LPGA Tour victory, with a winner's prize of $240,000 (approximately 270 million KRW).

Starting from 9th place, 5 strokes behind, Jutanugarn showcased perfect play by recording 9 birdies without a single bogey. She began with three consecutive birdies on holes 1 to 3, followed by two pairs of back-to-back birdies on holes 6-7 and 9-10. She added birdies on holes 12 and 18. After finishing the round with a one-stroke lead, she confirmed her victory when fellow Thai player Atthaya Thitikul, in the final group, made par on the 18th hole (par 5).

She relied on her powerful drives averaging 272 yards and her pinpoint iron shots with a green hit rate of 94%. "I believed in myself and played confidently," said Jutanugarn, who exclaimed, "I have really been waiting for this win. I am so happy." Jutanugarn was the first Thai player to win on the LPGA Tour at the 2016 Yokohama Tire Classic. That year, she also won the major British Women's Open and collected five wins in the season.

It is surprising that she struggled without a title after winning twice in 2017 and three times in 2018, including the major US Women's Open. Although she made ten top-10 finishes in 2019, she ranked only 11th in earnings, and last year she dropped to 32nd in earnings. Most notably, she has finally escaped the nightmare of a dramatic loss eight years ago. In 2013, at age 18, Jutanugarn made a triple bogey on the 18th hole on the final day, handing the trophy to Inbee Park (33, KB Financial Group).

Atthaya Thitikul, an 18-year-old non-member, shot 4-under par to finish second (21-under par 267). Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand), the "ANA Champion" and leader from the previous day, shot 2-under par and dropped to a tie for third place (20-under par 268). South Korea was well represented by three-time tournament champion Hee-young Yang (32, Woori Financial Group) and So-yeon Ryu (31, Mediheal), both tied for third. Chun In-gee (27, KB Financial Group) finished 12th (16-under par 272), and Choi Woo-jung (31, Volvik) tied for seventh (19-under par 269).

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