Jasmine Suwannapura: The FRED Couples of the LPGA

Jasmine Suwannapura: The FRED Couples of the LPGA

Coming in fresh after placing second at last week’s AIG Women’s Open, Jasmine Suwannapura reveals her secret to playing golf well, trusting her feel. 

“What's it called, feel? I didn’t grow up looking at my own swing at all,” Suwannapura said. “I barely have any videos of myself swinging. I don't really know how to fix my swing with watching my video. I just do what I think I know, and golf I feel like if you own your swing, if you know your swing, you can tell like which part that you do wrong and fix it fast if you really own your swing.”

In the past couple of weeks, the method has seemed to work for the two-time LPGA Tour winner who, surprisingly, has never had a coach. 

The LPGA’s very own Bubba Watson. 

“To be honest, the only coach I have is my dad and me. I never had a coach ever. I was supposed to have a coach, but sadly he passed away when I was 16. After that, just me and my dad who taught me how to play golf. Since I was 17 years old until now, I’ve pretty much been learning and teaching myself out here. When I need to fix my swing, I do it by myself.”

For the record Suwannapura spent a lot of her early days following her Dad who used to regularly play his golf at Plutaluang Navy Course near Sattahip in Thailand. Later on, she used to practice at Phoenix Gold near Pattaya as well.

During her weekend charge last week at Royal Troon, numerous commentators draw comparisons between Suwannapura’s move and the silky swing of Fred Couples, who is also a feel player, largely self-taught.

Suwannapura has of course already won twice on the LPGA Tour, but has perhaps been overshadowed by her fellow Thais, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn and stalwart Pornanong Phatlum.

However, it is amazing what a good result in a Major can do for a player.  Suwannapura will tee off the first round on Friday off the 10th tee at 7:55 a.m. EDT alongside major champions Inbee Park and Lydia Ko.

For now, expect her to be the Thai who the TV cameras will be following for the next few weeks!