Pace-Setting Thai on Course to Cause a Major Upset

Rancho Mirage, California, United States: As Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit heads into the final day of the 2021 ANA Inspiration, leading a Major for the first time in her young career, everyone from her playing partners to the global TV audience has been marvelling at her maturity, both on and off course.

She takes a five-shot lead into the final round, having handled the challenges of the Dinah Shore Tournament Course on a windy day with the same calmness and confidence that she has handled the extensive media interest throughout the week.

No one has been more impressed than her caddie, former golf professional Ryan Hogue, who is perhaps best placed to make observations on the young phenom. In what is their first week together, the two have worked so well you would never know their partnership was only agreed on the Friday of last week’s Kia Classic.

Coincidentally, when Houge, an occasional caddie on both the LPGA and PGA Tour, recently stepped in at the last minute for Martin Laird’s caddie at the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Scot went on to win the tournament.

Houge could not be more impressed with what he has seen in his short time with Tavatanakit, commenting: “She is very professional for a 21-year-old and definitely thinks more like a veteran than rookie.”

Despite having slept on the lead for two consecutive nights, the Thai showed no sign of stress as she opened her Saturday round with a birdie, explaining: “It’s always nice to have a good start to feel a little bit more comfortable throughout the day.

“I was hitting it really good. I’m putting so well right now. I am just really pleased with how everything played out. It was a little tough today, too, towards the end. It was hot. It was getting windy. Even though I shot good scores, the process was still a little bit challenging.”

Tavatanakit, 2019 Symetra Tour Player of the Year and two-time representative in the Asia-Pacific’s Patsy Hankins Trophy team, said staying patient was the key to overcoming the day’s challenges.

“I play aggressive when I can be and you’ve got to play smart golf. It's a Major championship. You’ve got to have the things you need to go out and execute and embrace all the challenges out there,” she said.

A win tomorrow would make her the fourth player to win wire-to-wire with no ties, and the first since Karrie Webb in 2000. Tavatanakit could become the first rookie to win the Major championship since Juli Inkster in 1984 and the fourth consecutive player to win the ANA as her first Major title.

Ally Ewing, who won her first LPGA title last year at the LPGA Drive On Championship - Reynolds Lake Oconee, playing under her then maiden name of McDonald, shot a blemish-free 66 to propel her up the leaderboard into tied second place with defending champion Mirim Lee on nine-under.

The highest placed American felt that recent win would stand her in good stead ahead of the final round. She said: “I think it definitely gives me confidence. To rely on something that you’ve done before I think is a very settling feeling.”

South Korea’s Lee has mounted an impressive title defence, rising steadily up the leaderboard over the first few days with a third round 68 which included six birdies.