Natthakritta Vongtaveelap Soars Ahead at Honda LPGA Thailand Tournament
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap of Thailand is the leader heading into the final round of the Honda LPGA Thailand tournament in Pattaya.[0] Vongtaveelap, who got into the field after winning a national qualifier earlier this year, shot 8-under 64 on Saturday to increase her lead to four shots over reigning LPGA rookie of the year Atthaya Thitikul with 18 holes to play at the Siam Country Club.[1]
Thitikul's score for the day was a 64, featuring 9 birdies and 1 bogey, and she is currently in second place with a total of 16-under.[2] Celine Boutier of France was in third place after a round of 67 with a score of 201. Americans Lilia Vu, Anna Nordqvist and Maja Stark, both from Sweden, were tied for fourth place on 14-under 202.[3]
In the summer of 2021, Stark left Oklahoma State prematurely to pursue a professional career.[4] Since then, she has achieved seven victories globally, including the ISPS Handa World Invitational, which earned her a spot on the LPGA.[5] At this time, she is leading the Solheim Cup points list on the Ladies European[5]
In her fourth season on tour, Nanna Koerstz Madsen finally secured her first victory in Thailand, sinking a 10-foot putt for eagle on the second playoff hole, beating out Xiyu Lin.[6] She won the title, becoming the first Dane to do so on the LPGA Tour.[7] Despite already having a place in the annals of history, Madsen decided to make her mark by breaking the 54-hole (21-under par) and 72-hole scoring records (26-under par) at the tournament.[7]
Nearly a dozen Thai players, including Thitikul, are competing in their home country with the hope of securing a victory.[7] This includes world No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn, who won the event in 2021.[7] Jaravee Boonchant, Natthakrita Vongtaveelap, Chanettee Wannasaen, and Arpichaya Yubol, Thai newcomers, have been granted a beneficial sponsorship invitation to the event and will be making their first appearances on the LPGA Tour with the bonus of playing on their own turf.[7]
Ko, currently the number one in the world, began her round well by getting a birdie on three of the first four holes. She kept up her solid play until the 14th hole, where she made a bogey.[8]
0. “Rookie Vongtaveelap leads Honda LPGA Thailand after 7-under 65” LPGA, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.lpga.com/news/2023/rookie-vongtaveelap-leads-honda-lpga-thailand-after-7-under-65
1. “Young Thai stars on birdie binge in Pattaya” Bangkok Post, 25 Feb. 2023, https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/2514866/young-thai-stars-on-birdie-binge-in-pattaya
2. “Lydia Ko continues to fire in Thailand but victory looks out of sight” Stuff, 25 Feb. 2023, https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/300816554/lydia-ko-continues-to-fire-in-thailand-but-victory-looks-out-of-sight
3. “Rookie Natthakritta Vongtaveelap expands lead in Thailand | | news-journal.com” Longview News-Journal, 25 Feb. 2023, https://www.news-journal.com/rookie-natthakritta-vongtaveelap-expands-lead-in-thailand/article_bc014794-9675-587f-9b0e-50028f4b0ff2.html
4. “LPGA: Maja Stark holes out twice for eagle at Honda LPGA Thailand” Golfweek, 23 Feb. 2023, https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/02/23/swede-maja-stark-holes-out-twice-eagle-honda-lpga-thailand
5. “Honda LPGA Thailand: Natthakritta Vongtaveelap leading after 2nd round” Golfweek, 24 Feb. 2023, https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/02/24/honda-lpga-thailand-second-round-leaderboard-natthakritta-vongtaveelap
6. “LPGA: 5 things to look for in Thailand, where Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda and Jin Young Ko are primed for battle along with …” Golfweek, 22 Feb. 2023, https://golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/lpga-5-things-to-look-for-thailand-lydia-ko-nelly-korda-jin-young-ko-saki-baba
7. “Five Things to Know About the Honda LPGA Thailand” LPGA, 21 Feb. 2023, https://www.lpga.com/news/2023/five-things-to-know-about-the-honda-lpga-thailand
8. “Lydia Ko fires in seven birdies in second round at LPGA Thailand” Stuff, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/300816161/lydia-ko-fires-in-seven-birdies-in-second-round-at-lpga-thailand
