Honda LPGA Tournament Pattaya

[sbk]

Updated: [October 5, 2007 ] :: 12:11:38 [view 136]

HONDA LPGA THAILAND 2007 IN PATTAYA

Chonburi province open Pattaya Golf Course to welcome Lady Golfers on 25 – 28 October 2007 with over forty million baht award. Thailand presents Weerata for the tournament.

Mr. Akarawit Thephasit, Deputy director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Central region, declared that on 25 – 28 October, Thailand will be the host for Honda LPGA Thailand 2007, at Siam Country Club Golf Course, Pattaya, Chonburi.

There will be many of Leading Lady Golfers who are in the top 50, from around the world to join this tournament, led by Annika Sorenstam, eight times World number one lady golfer, from Sweden and LPGA Tour champion and Paula Dreamer, who made the highest award of three million USD in professional golfer career, who has known in the golf world as “Pink Panther”

This golf tournament will be the first page in Thai history of Lady golfers which has the award of 1.3 million USD or 45 million baht. It will also bring the good economy and tourism of Thailand as there will be many of world class lady golfers to join this tournament.

Besides, after this tournament, all organizers will bring the income from golfer’s souvenir auction on the “Charity Night” to help supporting the campaign of global warming problem. The income is to buy “Rachapruke” trees to plant along the way to “Khao Chee Chan”, on the way to Nongprue district, Pong district and Banglamung area.

Pattaya Daily News--www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000003973

[BossHogg]

Anyone know if this will be televised live on Thai tv? I dont have cable

[longball53098]

Anyone know if this will be televised live on Thai tv? I dont have cable

Heres the official website,,,,,,,,,,,,it will be on TV someplace live I think

www.hondalpgathailand2007.com

[tigerbeach]

I think it will be on Channel 7 thai TV maybe Saturday and Sunday

[Jai Dee]

HONDA LPGA THAILAND 2007 IN PATTAYA

Chonburi province opens its Pattaya golf course to welcome lady golfers on 25 – 28 October 2007, with over forty-million-baht award.

According to Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand will host the Honda LPGA Thailand 2007 at Siam Country Club golf course.

Many leading lady golfers who are on the top-50 list and from around the world will join this tournament.

Interesting lady golfers include Annika Sorenstam, eight-time world no. one lady golfer from Sweden and winner of ESPY Awards Best Feamale Athlete in 2006, and Paula Dreamer who is known in the golf world as “Pink Panther”.

US$1.3-million award is offered in this lady golf tournament. The event is expected to improve Thailand’s economy and tourism.

Part of the income raised from golfer’s souvenir auction on the “Charity Night” will be given to support the campaign against global warming.

Source: The Manager - 25 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

pettersen roars away

Norwegian maintains fine form

Red-hot Suzann Pettersen shot a sparkling seven-under 65 to seize a two-stroke lead on the opening day of the US$1.3-million Honda LPGA Thailand at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course yesterday.

Fresh from winning her fourth trophy of the year in South Korea last week, the Norwegian started in supreme form, reeling off eight birdies in the first 11 holes to establish a two-stroke lead over Canadian Alena Sharp.

Pettersen, who finished tied 38th in the last year's Honda event at the Amata Spring Country Club, was firing on all cylinders but came up just short on the 13th and 16th holes, where she sank bogeys. She recovered to birdie the last.

"It's a very good start. I hit 16 or 17 greens [in regulation] and had a lot of short putts for birdie,'' said Pettersen, who is one of the hottest players this year. She has won two of her four titles in the past three weeks.

"I first thought I would end the year among the top 15. Now I'm No 4. I'm just trying to take every week as a challenge to improve my rankings,'' said Pettersen, who has been an occasional visitor to Thailand. She once brought her family on vacation here, and coincidentally her brother's girlfriend is half-Thai.

Sharp, whose only top-10 finish was in the CN Canadian Women's Open, fired back-to-back birdies on the last two holes for a 67.

"It would be nice to finish off with a win this year, or another top 10 would be good. To be in this position, I've had it a few times this year and I won't let it slip away this time," said the 122nd-ranked player.

A stroke adrift was Rookie of the Year Angela Park of Brazil, who fired six birdies against two bogeys to share third place with Katherine Hull of Australia.

"I don't know why I play well in the first round. I'm going to go into tomorrow's round with exactly the same type of attitude. I will just tell myself to go out there and try hard again,'' said Park, who is an ethnic Korean.

Defending champion Han Hee-won, making a return to the tour this week after giving birth in April, was tied at fifth with countrywomen Kyeong Bae and Shi Hyun-ahn with a 69. American Reilley Rankin, Rachael Hetherington of Australia and Maria Hjorth of Sweden also shot 69.

Virada Nirapathpongporn, sporting a multicolour outfit, emerged as the best Thai contender with an even-par 72. She was two over for much of her round but saved the day with birdies on the 15th and 17th.

"I think I did pretty well. I found my way back from trouble. I was quite nervous at the beginning and calmed down on the back nine,'' said the Thai ace, who would not write off anyone's chances despite Pettersen's splendid start.

"It's a four-day tournament and she cannot hit seven under every day. But if she hits 28-under by the end of the week, she really deserves to win,'' added Virada, who shared 20th position with former world No 1 Annika Sorenstam, world No 6 Paula Creamer and American-Thai Stacy Prammanasudh.

"It was windy, so you knew you were going to make some mistakes and you had to minimise those. I didn't finish well but that's OK, it's a long tournament,'' said the world No 16, who dropped a double bogey on the 18th.

Thai hope Onnarin Sattayabanphot hit a one-over 73 for a share of 27th along with 15-year-old Patcharajutar Kongkraphan, who squandered her two-birdie advantage with a double bogey on the 16th and a bogey on the 17th.

Eleven-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn made a modest start on her debut in an LPGA event, hitting a three-over 75 for tied 41st.

"I was nervous because of the crowd. Normally I never had anyone coming and watching me at the junior level,'' said the youngest player in the field, who admitted she had had some disagreement with her caddy, sister Moriya, during play.

"We did argue. Sometimes she was right, but I just didn't listen to her,'' added the youngster, who is tied with Kraft Nabisco champion Morgan Pressel.

Source: The Nation - 26 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Pettersen holds lead at LPGA Thailand

Norway's Suzann Pettersen fired a four under par 68 to hold onto a two-shot lead in the LPGA Tour Thailand event.

Under overcast skies and persistent light rain at the Siam Country Club, the in-form Pettersen sank six birdies, an eagle on the 13th hole against four bogeys to dominate the tournament at the midway stage at 11-under 133.

"I tried to hang in there, I had a lot of opportunities and made a lot of mistakes. It was not windy but it was a comfortable temperature, said the world No.4.

Two strokes behind was Canada's Alena Sharp who held on to the second spot.

"It's good to play along side with Suzann. I tried to keep up with her. I hope to continue playing good the next two days," said Sharp who has never finished an event higher than tenth.

"I will be nervous. But nerves are good as long as you can handle it. I want to win. I had been in the leading position before but I didn't handle it well. I have to handle it well this time," she said.

Veteran Laura Davies of England fired two eagles at the start and at the end for the day's equal-lowest round of a six-under 66 to move into third place on 137.

Paula Creamer also hit a 66 that propelled her into fourth position along with South Korea's Joo Mi-kim and Angela Park of Brazil at six-under 138.

A pack of six players shared the seventh position on 139 including Australia's Rachel Hetherington (70) and Katherine Hull (71).

Former world No.1 Annika Sorenstam bounced back from an even par on Thursday to fire four under for 140 on aggregate to be tied for 13th place.

Source: AP - 27 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Thai girl, 11, tees record

While other golfers land lucrative contacts for playing in big tournaments, 11-year-old Ariya Jutanukarn's reward for reaching her first LPGA Tour event was an ice cream covered in chocolate sauce.

The diminutive Thai became the youngest golfer to compete in an international tour event at the Honda LPGA Thailand yesterday, beating Michelle Wie's record by five months.

The schoolgirl, who took up golf at five, advanced in qualifying earlier in the week.

"A lot of people are watching. There's a lot of pressure on me, but it's a chance for me to get experience, play with the top players and show people what I can do," Ariya said.

"I feel very excited, just having the chance to play is amazing - it's great to make history."

Ariya has employed her 13-year-old sister Moriya as her caddy, after she narrowly missed out on qualifying.

"She has a lot of experience, she can give me good advice," Ariya said.

"She knows more than my dad. She has more experience as a player and she's used to carrying her own bag."

The pair jog together each morning before class and practice for three hours after school.

Father Somboon is proud of his daughters.

"I didn't think about her beating the record, I'm just pleased to see Ariya get this experience," he said.

"I have a couple of future top-10 players here. I'm really proud of them."

Despite getting bragging rights on her sister, Ariya said she expected her to turn pro first.

"She's a better player than me," Ariya said.

"I really wanted to play against her here."

For now, Ariya is happy to play against the big girls, specially her idol, 10-time major winner Annika Sorenstam.

And the money?

"I know the other players are getting money for this, but I'm getting experience," she said.

"That's a lot more important than money."

Source: Reuters - 27 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

SUZANN IN CONTROL

Norwegian has a 2-shot lead over Sharp

The incessant drizzle failed to bother in-form Suzann Pettersen, who fired a four-under 68 and extended her lead in the US$1.3-million Honda LPGA Thailand event at the Siam Country Club Old Course yesterday.

With six birdies and an eagle, the Norwegian title favourite, with an 11-under 133 at the halfway stage, has a two-stroke lead over Alena Sharp. The Canadian also had a 68.

"It was another great day on the course, not too windy, comfortable temperature and not steamy. I was just trying to play hole to hole. A lot of good shots and good putts," said the world No 4.

Pettersen, a four-time winner this year, was briefly challenged by Sharp and South Korea's Kyeong Bae at one stage when the trio shared the lead, but an eagle on the 13th restored her lead before she had a barnstorming finish with a birdie on the final hole.

"I don't really watch the leaderboard when I play. I just focus on my game. I just try to shoot as low as I can," she said.

Sharp could have been just a shot behind her rival had she not missed a four-foot birdie attempt on the 18th that hit the lip of the cup and curled out.

"I've never been in the last group before and I handled it very well. I putted well and hope to continue it the next two days,'' said Sharp, who has never finished an event higher than 10th place. Her only other second place during a tournament was in the first round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in Toledo in July, where she eventually finished tied for 28th.

"I will be nervous. But being nervous is good, as long as you can handle it. I want to win,'' said Sharp, who has been in second place after both days.

England's Laura Davies, the oldest player in the field at 44, produced a dazzling start and storming finish with eagles on the first and 18th holes to score the day's lowest round of 66 and grab third place with a combined seven-under 137.

Glamorous in pink, her trademark colour, Paula Creamer carded a 66 for six-under 138 to share fourth spot with South Korea's Joo Mi-kim and Angela Park of Brazil.

The "Pink Panther" was obviously the most popular player among the fans, attracting the biggest crowd of about 500 to watch her play yesterday.

"The fans are very nice but there are lot of phones and cameras. But it's good to have them come and support us,'' said Creamer, who plans to dress in blue today.

American-Thai Stacy Prammanasudh was among the chasing pack in tied-seventh position with five-under 139, along with defending champion Han Hee-won of South Korea, Americans Laura Diaz and Reilley Rankin and Australians Rachel Hetherington and Katherine Hull. Stacy hit a five-under 67 yesterday.

"A lot of fans recognise my name, though I have never lived here. I'm happy where I am now and hope for a good weekend. I always want to contend for the title every week," she said.

Former world No 1 Annika Sorenstam bounced back from an even-par round on Thursday to fire four-under yesterday for an aggregate 140 and a tie for 13th place. Virada Nirapathpongporn went without a birdie until a breakthrough on the 15th hole that saw her end with a 71 for a total of one-under 143. That placed her 21st alongside Morgan Pressel, who yesterday hit a 68.

"To be successful on the tour, you have to keep your cool and one day everything will fall into place,'' said Virada, who says a five-under total by the close on Sunday would help her finish among the top 15.

Onnarin Sattayabanphot, with a 71, shared 27th position. "For the first time this year, I'm hitting the ball at my best. If I play at my level, I believe I can finish the weekend at four or five under,'' said Onnarin, who is using the event as preparation for the US Qualifying School next month.

Strutting her stuff alongside teenaged Major champion Pressel, young Ariya Jutanugarn picked up two bogeys for a five-over 149 to end in tied-45th position. The 11-year-old turned out to be a star attraction, being followed by a huge crowd and bombarded by fans seeking photos and autographs.

"I've have never received this much of attention, but it feels good. I'm prepared for a bigger crowd tomorrow and will play more aggressively,'' said the young Thai.

Source: The Nation - 27 October 2007

[Marcan]

Thai girl, 11, tees record

While other golfers land lucrative contacts for playing in big tournaments, 11-year-old Ariya Jutanukarn's reward for reaching her first LPGA Tour event was an ice cream covered in chocolate sauce.

The diminutive Thai became the youngest golfer to compete in an international tour event at the Honda LPGA Thailand yesterday, beating Michelle Wie's record by five months.

The schoolgirl, who took up golf at five, advanced in qualifying earlier in the week.

"A lot of people are watching. There's a lot of pressure on me, but it's a chance for me to get experience, play with the top players and show people what I can do," Ariya said.

"I feel very excited, just having the chance to play is amazing - it's great to make history."

Ariya has employed her 13-year-old sister Moriya as her caddy, after she narrowly missed out on qualifying.

"She has a lot of experience, she can give me good advice," Ariya said.

"She knows more than my dad. She has more experience as a player and she's used to carrying her own bag."

The pair jog together each morning before class and practice for three hours after school.

Father Somboon is proud of his daughters.

"I didn't think about her beating the record, I'm just pleased to see Ariya get this experience," he said.

"I have a couple of future top-10 players here. I'm really proud of them."

Despite getting bragging rights on her sister, Ariya said she expected her to turn pro first.

"She's a better player than me," Ariya said.

"I really wanted to play against her here."

For now, Ariya is happy to play against the big girls, specially her idol, 10-time major winner Annika Sorenstam.

And the money?

"I know the other players are getting money for this, but I'm getting experience," she said.

"That's a lot more important than money."

Source: Reuters - 27 October 2007

It is certainly a nice experience for Ariya but I'm not sure than "beating Michelle Wie's record" is a good thing for this little girl.

Does Michelle Wie be a model for the new generation?

Does Michelle Wie won any tournament since she turned pro?

If I'm not wrong she's doing good money with Nike but she's not impressing anybody anymore.

So I hope K. Somboon is a wise man and tell/help his daughters to continue to practice and play but most importantly to continue to study at school.

[Pattaya_Fox]

Late eagle gives Pettersen her fifth win

Chonburim, Thailand (Sports Network) - It wasn't as easy as it figured to be.

Suzann Pettersen needed an eagle on the 72nd hole Sunday to defeat Laura Davies at the Honda LPGA Thailand for her fifth win this season.

Pettersen's closing eagle gave her a round of one-under 71 and a winning total of 21-under-par 267. She has now won two straight tournaments and three of the last four overall.

She entered the final round with a seven-shot lead.

"It feels pretty good," said an understated Pettersen, who collected $195,000 for the win. "It's been three wins in October, so I can't complain. I'll enjoy a week off now and try to sum it up and get ready for the last few."

Pettersen (five wins) and Lorena Ochoa (seven wins) have combined to win 12 of the 27 official events this year on the LPGA Tour. Both players won their first major this year too: Pettersen claimed the McDonald's LPGA Championship and Ochoa was victorious at the Women's British Open.

Davies finished one shot back at minus-20 thanks to a closing seven-under 65.

Paula Creamer got within two shots of the lead thanks to an eagle on the par- five 10th, but could not get any closer. She carded her third straight 66 to end alone in third at 18-under-par 270.

Rachel Hetherington fired a seven-under 65 to finish in fourth at minus-16, while Stacy Prammanasudh took fifth at 14-under-par 274 after a final-round, six-under 66.

Former world No. 1 Annika Sorenstam closed with a five-under 67 to take sixth at minus-13.

Pettersen's seven-shot lead was quickly cut to four as Davies eagled the par- five first and came right back with a birdie on the second on the Pattaya Old Course at Siam Country Club.

After opening with four straight pars, Pettersen stumbled to a bogey on the fifth and her lead dropped to three. Both Pettersen and Davies birdied the seventh.

Pettersen's lead was down to one after she bogeyed the ninth and Davies converted a birdie chance on No. 10. Pettersen recovered to convert a six-foot birdie putt on 11, but her lead was back to one when Davies dropped in a 10- foot birdie putt on the 14th.

After a birdie at 15, Pettersen stood at 21-under and led by two. Pettersen and Davies both bogeyed the par-three 16th.

Pettersen faltered to a three-putt bogey on the par-four 17th, while Davies made birdie from five feet to tie Pettersen for the lead at minus-19.

At the last, Pettersen did exactly what she needed to do. She hit her three- wood to 15 feet and drained the eagle putt to jump to 21-under and collect her fifth win of the year.

"It was a tough day," admitted Pettersen. "Laura and Paula just kept playing at me. I just tried to play my own game and tried to shoot six-under and see where that could end up. Then, I made a few mistakes on 16 and 17. To make that last putt, I think that was the best putt of my life."

Davies was unable to match the eagle, two-putting instead for birdie from 25 feet out.

"She made a great shot on the last and that was it," stated Davies of Pettersen. "It was all about that one shot. She hit the shot and I slightly pushed my six-iron. I had a really good putt, I thought I made it, but I didn't make it."

Alena Sharp ended alone in seventh at 11-under-par 277 after closing with a two-under 70. Laura Diaz (68) and Reilley Rankin (69) shared eighth at minus-10.

Katherine Hull was the only player in the top 10 to shoot over par in the final round as she closed with a 73 to take 10th at eight-under-par 280.

Amateur Ariya Jutanukarn, who became the youngest golfer ever to compete in a major tour event when she teed it up at the age of 11 years, 11 months and two days old on Thursday, struggled to her third straight two-over 74. She ended in a share of 51st at plus-nine.

The Sports Network

[Pundi64]

Really a great finish, Davis birdie to win so Petterson pulls out an eagle to take it, can't get a whole lot better then that-

[CGW]

Really a great finish, Davis birdie to win so Petterson pulls out an eagle to take it, can't get a whole lot better then that-

Great end to 4 excellent days of golf, very enjoyable and well organised.

Well done all concerned.

[Pakboong]

Thai girl, 11, tees record

While other golfers land lucrative contacts for playing in big tournaments, 11-year-old Ariya Jutanukarn's reward for reaching her first LPGA Tour event was an ice cream covered in chocolate sauce.

The diminutive Thai became the youngest golfer to compete in an international tour event at the Honda LPGA Thailand yesterday, beating Michelle Wie's record by five months.

The schoolgirl, who took up golf at five, advanced in qualifying earlier in the week.

"A lot of people are watching. There's a lot of pressure on me, but it's a chance for me to get experience, play with the top players and show people what I can do," Ariya said.

"I feel very excited, just having the chance to play is amazing - it's great to make history."

Ariya has employed her 13-year-old sister Moriya as her caddy, after she narrowly missed out on qualifying.

"She has a lot of experience, she can give me good advice," Ariya said.

"She knows more than my dad. She has more experience as a player and she's used to carrying her own bag."

The pair jog together each morning before class and practice for three hours after school.

Father Somboon is proud of his daughters.

"I didn't think about her beating the record, I'm just pleased to see Ariya get this experience," he said.

"I have a couple of future top-10 players here. I'm really proud of them."

Despite getting bragging rights on her sister, Ariya said she expected her to turn pro first.

"She's a better player than me," Ariya said.

"I really wanted to play against her here."

For now, Ariya is happy to play against the big girls, specially her idol, 10-time major winner Annika Sorenstam.

And the money?

"I know the other players are getting money for this, but I'm getting experience," she said.

"That's a lot more important than money."

Source: Reuters - 27 October 2007

It is certainly a nice experience for Ariya but I'm not sure than "beating Michelle Wie's record" is a good thing for this little girl.

Does Michelle Wie be a model for the new generation?

Does Michelle Wie won any tournament since she turned pro?

If I'm not wrong she's doing good money with Nike but she's not impressing anybody anymore.

So I hope K. Somboon is a wise man and tell/help his daughters to continue to practice and play but most importantly to continue to study at school.

There are very few top junior athletes who actually attend school. They are home schooled and many go on to have successful careers outside of their sport. Taking 8 hours out of your day to spend at school can be a death blow.

[BossHogg]

Justin Rose was advised not to turn pro but finish his studies.He was never to be a scholar, but is now a multi millionaire you can go go back to school at any age, you are young gifted and fit for how long?

[Pakboong]

Justin Rose was advised not to turn pro but finish his studies.He was never to be a scholar, but is now a multi millionaire you can go go back to school at any age, you are young gifted and fit for how long?

Many homeschooled athletes attend and graduate from Universities. Home-schooled kids per capita are far better educated than those who attend traditional schooling. Over half of the top finishers in the US national spelling bee are home-schooled. My point is, if you love your athletic endeavor, commit your time to it. Anyone can go to school, there are only a few who can make their living from an athletic endeavor that they love dearly. School is always there and it is no big deal. In the US, there are some 700 full scholarships given to female golfers each year. Many of these are Korean. Simply keep the cart behind the horse.

This particularly applies if you are not a great student or don't have a particularly high IQ. If you are brilliant and want to be a doctor, Lawyer or Indian Chief. quit golf and devote your time to your studies. If you want to play golf for a living, commit your time to golf. This is particularly true if you are at a resource disadvantage to your major competitors. Time is you only resource of which every golfer is issued the same amount. If your parents are not rich and cannot afford to live on a golf course and pay for daily lessons, you are only able to beat those more privledged individuals, every thing else being equal, with how you manage your tiime.