Atthaya Makes LPGA Tour Breakthrough

Carlsbad, California, United States: It has not taken long for Atthaya Thitikul to establish herself as one of the world’s outstanding female golfers.

It was in 2018 that the Thai wrote her name into the record books as the winner of the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP). Success has continued to follow with two wins on the Ladies European Tour (LET). Last year she topped the standings on the LET’s Order of Merit.

The next natural step was to post a victory on the LPGA Tour. That moment was not long in coming. On just her fifth start on the Tour, Atthaya, now aged 19, triumphed at the JTBC Classic.

With a closing eight-under-par 64 at Aviara Golf Club – the best round of the week – Atthaya soared up the leaderboard. Her 16-under 272 total saw her finish tied for top spot with Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen, the overnight leader who claimed her maiden LPGA Tour title at the Honda LPGA Thailand a fortnight ago. 

In a nervy play-off, it was Atthaya who prevailed at the second extra hole, a bogey proving good enough after her rival found water.

“It means a lot. It means the world to me. I know my parents and coaches back home are watching me now. It’s meaningful to all of us not just me,” said Atthaya, who missed a six-foot putt for victory at the first play-off hole.

“It’s just crazy in my mind right now. I cannot believe that I became an LPGA winner. It feels amazing. I just focused on my game and did the best I can,” added Atthaya.

At 19 years, 25 days, Atthaya is the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour since Canadian Brooke Henderson in the 2016 Portland Classic at 18 years, nine months, 23 days.

Atthaya will not have much time to celebrate. Her next assignment is the Chevron Championship at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, the first Major of the season which tees-off on Thursday.

Based on her rapid rise to stardom, few would bet against her adding a Major title to her resume before she departs her teens.