Rina, winner of national qualifiers, set for Honda LPGA Thailand 2020

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Rina, winner of national qualifiers, set for Honda LPGA Thailand 2020

By THE NATION

 

Rina Tatematsu

 

Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd teamed up with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) in organising The Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers on January 21-22, in search of a Thai female golfer who would take part in the upcoming Honda LPGA Thailand 2020.

 

The winner of National Qualifiers is Rina Tatematsu, who won after a playoff with Chanette Wannasaen and is now set to participate at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020, to be held from 20-23 February 20-23, at the Old Course of Siam Country Club Pattaya.

 

Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd said: “After our successful event last year, held for the first time, we have once again organised the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers which provides aspiring local golfers a special opportunity to play in an elite tournament and compete with the best women players from around the world at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020. Today, I would like to offer my warmest congratulation to Rina Tatematsu for winning the qualifiers.

 

“Honda is proud to be a part of a major initiative that aims to empower a new generation of Thai female golfers, and help give them the inspiration to improve their skills to play in professional tournaments in the future. We would like to support and encourage those who did not achieve their dream today, They must continue to focus on their goals, and make their dreams come true,” said Pitak.

 

“I’m very satisfied with my performance in the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers 2020. It will be a great and special opportunity for me to compete in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 with so many world-class professionals. I would like to thank Honda and the Sports Authority of Thailand for initiating this competition and providing opportunities for golfers to learn and develop the competitive skills required of world-class players. Lastly, I would like to invite all golf fans to give their support and cheer for us at the tournament.” said Rina after her win.

 

On the first day of the two-day qualifier, there were 58 participants in total and four joint winners: Benyapa Niphatsophon, last year's winner, Rina Tatematsu, Kultida Pramphun and Sarunchana Rattanasin with three rounds of 69.

 

“The standards were very high and it was a tough competition with so many good players. I think there are some great up-and-coming golfers in the qualifiers and I look forward to playing in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020,” added Rina, 18, who finished the day on -4 tied for first place with Chanette Wannasaen after rounds of 69 and 71.

 

Chanette, who had two rounds of 70, also finished on -4 and the tournament went to a playoff to decide the winner. After the scores were level on the first playoff hole, Rina proved too good and went on to win the tournament with 58 participants this year. Rina was also invited by Ariya Jutanugarn to be part of Team Jutanugarn at the 2019 Major Champions Invitational at Orlando, Florida, USA.

 

The Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 will be held from February 20-23 at Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course, featuring 70 female golfers, including 56 professionals from the 2020 LPGA Priority List, the winner of 2020 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, the winner of 2020 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, the winner of 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open, the winner of 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, eight invited players as well as the winner from the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers and the winner from the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship 2020, which will be held before the Honda LPGA Thailand.

 

Tickets including VIP tickets and Premium Grandstand tickets are available on the website www.hondalpgathailand.com. VIP tickets offer access to the Clubhouse at The Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course. Spectators can look forward to more activities on-site across the four-day tournament. This year, 9 MCOT HD Channel 30, the official broadcaster, will air the competition live on all four days of the tournamet as well as through their online channel www.mcot.net

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30380935

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-01-23

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