‘3-time Champion in Thailand’ Yang Hee-young: "Chonburi is the Land of Promise"... Jutanugarn: "Title Defense"

Honda LPGA Thailand Victory Challenge with Jeon In-ji and Lee Jeong-eun 6 Joining, Home Course Players Titikul and Tawattananakit as 'Dark Horses'

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

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] There are players who excel in specific regions, specific courses, and specific tournaments.

Yang Hee-young (33, Woori Financial Group) soared in Thailand. Since debuting on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour in 2008, she has won 3 out of her 4 career victories in Thailand. Yang Hee-young is challenging for her 5th career win on the "promised land." The event is the '2022 Season 5th Round' Honda LPGA Thailand (total prize money $1.6 million), which opens on the 10th (Korean time) at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course (par 72, 6,576 yards) in Chonburi, Thailand.

Yang Hee-young is synonymous with consistency. She has showcased top-level skills on the LPGA Tour for 15 years. Her prime was in 2015. That year, she entered the top 10 nine times, including one victory, finishing 6th in earnings ($1,438,312). Since then, she has maintained a ranking between 10th and 20th in prize money. Although she struggled in 2020 due to COVID-19, finishing 66th in earnings, she is gradually regaining her former form. She earned her first win in 2015 and added victories in 2017 and 2019.

Yang Hee-young collected three trophies every two years. Although she suffered mentally from not reaching the top, she always found strength when playing in Thailand. This time, she eagerly awaited the Honda LPGA Thailand. She has been thirsty for a win, having not won for nearly three years. Her start this year has been promising: tied 13th at the Gainbridge LPGA in January, tied 30th at the LPGA Drive On Championship in February, and tied 6th last week at the HSBC Women's World Championship.

Jeon In-ji dreams of winning at the Honda LPGA Thailand for the first time in 3 years and 5 months.

It is encouraging that she achieved her best season result in Singapore, close to Thailand. She posted under-par scores for four consecutive days, especially showing strong finishing power with a 4-under-par on the final day. Although she failed to defend her title at last year's tournament as the defending champion, she finished tied for 3rd, showing good course compatibility. Korea's lineup includes Jeon In-ji (28, KB Financial Group), who was runner-up at HSBC, along with Lee Jeong-eun 6 (26, Daebang Construction), Kim Hyo-joo (27), and Yoo So-yeon (32, Mediheal).

Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) is a strong favorite for the win. Known as the "Pak Se-ri of Thailand," she has 12 career wins including two majors. She also demonstrated overwhelming skill to win last year. A dark horse is 19-year-old Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), who was invited and is on a steep rise, finishing tied 4th at the HSBC Champions. Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand), playing on her home course, is also a contender. World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (27) and "Golf Queen" Park In-bi (34, KB Financial Group) have chosen to rest.

Ariya Jutanugarn challenges for her second consecutive win at the Honda LPGA Thailand.

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