Two very stressfull weeks ahead as Atthaya Thitikul goes for her LPGA card in Alabama

Atthaya Thitikul practising in Alabama 

Most 14-year-olds are happy to hang out with their friends and put off writing that essay for Freshman English class.

Atthaya Thitikul was not your typical 14-year-old. The Thai phenom won her first professional event just four months after her 14th birthday, capturing the LET’s Ladies European Thailand Championship to become the youngest-ever winner of a pro event.

Four years later and after turning professional in 2020, Thitikul has become one of the best players in the women’s game. Her Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking of No. 18 matches her age.

This year saw her take two LET victories and fourteen top-10 finishes en route to adding another “youngest-ever” to her list after becoming the youngest winner of the Race to Costa del Sol, the LET’s season-long Order of Merit.

“It's been a really great year for me, and then I feel really scared to be out,” said Thitikul.

 “This is my first year on the LET, far away from home, and didn't have like lots of experience that much. But I'm glad that I can keep learning and keep working on my game to be better.”

Thitikul came to Alabama directly from the LET’s season finale, finishing in a tie for third at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España.

This is just her second competitive appearance in the United States, joining the 2018 Chevron Championship where she finished 20th as an amateur.

Admitting that jet lag has been an issue, Thitikul has been working to learn the Bermudagrass courses at Magnolia Grove, very different from the layouts she has  seen across Asia and Europe.

But while the 18-year-old may be young in years, she is beyond mature in knowing her place on the golf course.

“I’m going to focus on my game and trying to be calm out there and then focus on what I can do and try my best out there,” said Thitikul.

“I mean, like if I can get it, it's great, but if not, it's okay, I know I have a lot of chances to get it.”

Tle LPGA Q school takes place over two weeks and 144 exhausting holes with the top 45 players getting a full LPGA card for the 2022 season.

Joining Thitikul the large field are fellow Thais Pavarisa Yoktuan and Prima Thammaraks.