Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul jumps to 28th in Rolex World Rankings

Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul (LET PHOTO)

A thrilling final round of the VP Bank Swiss Ladies saw Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul clinch her second title of the 2021 Ladies European Tour season.

The 18-year-old sat four strokes off the lead after the conclusion of the second round at Holzhäusern Golf Park but made an excellent start to her final round. 

Four birdies on the front nine propelled Thitikul to the summit of the leaderboard, as she made the turn in 31.

According to golfnews.co.uk, the Thai star was playing alongside Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord, who pushed the teenager all the way with the duo tied for the lead after 15 holes. But it was back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 that ensured Thitikul set the clubhouse lead of 16-under-par, and no one was able to catch her as she secured her fourth LET title.

“I hit pretty good shots out there and I gave myself a lot of chances to make birdies. I rolled the putts really well today and was making a lot of them,” said the 2021 Race to Costa del Sol leader.

“I worked really hard last year with my coach, and I think all the results tell me that I’m working in a good way, and it is paying off. I’m so happy to get another win.”

At the Aramco Team Series – London, it was Skarpnord who beat the young star in a playoff at Centurion Club but this time the Norwegian couldn’t getter the better of Thitikul. A round of 68 which included five birdies and one bogey meant she finished in outright second on 15-under.

In the 2021 Race to Costa del Sol, Thitikul’s second win of the season means she extends her advantage at the top of standings, and she now has 2,887.46 points from 13 tournaments.

Amazingly with out being a full LPGA Tour player, Atthaya has jumped to 28th on the latest Rolex World Rankings, above Moriya Jutanugarn (33) and catching up Ariya Jutanugarn (20) and Patty Tavatanakit (12).

The smart money is on Atthaya joining the LPGA soon, either by invitation, maybe by Q School or of course if she wins an LPGA event.

One day she will be No. 1.