Proud Atthaya's Show of Poise and Precision

Pattaya, Thailand: Victory may narrowly have eluded her, but Atthaya Thitikul well and truly announced her arrival on the global golfing stage with a brilliant performance at the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Despite falling one shot shy of joining compatriot Ariya Jutanugarn in a sudden-death play-off, the 18-year-old impressed a worldwide television audience with her poise and precision.

“I’m really proud of myself, that I did the best that I could,” said Atthaya, who first sprang to prominence with her triumph in the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in 2018, when aged 15.

Among other notable efforts during her decorated amateur career, Atthaya was team and individual gold medallist at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. In 2018, she was the leading individual at the Queen Sirikit Cup and secured a team gold for Thailand at the Youth Olympic Games.

With a closing four-under-par 68 over the Old Course at Siam Country Club on Sunday, Atthaya claimed sole possession of second place. It was her career-best finish on the LPGA Tour and earned her a cheque for US$148,877 (about 4.8 million baht).

“This is a new experience, having been so close to winning (on the LPGA Tour),” said the Ratchaburi native, who won twice on the Ladies European Tour (LET) while still an amateur.

Playing on a sponsor exemption at Siam Country Club, Atthaya held a one-stroke lead with two holes remaining. At the 17th, she suffered her only blemish on the card with a three-putt bogey that meant she needed a closing-hole birdie to match Ariya’s 22-under aggregate.

Her cause, though, was not helped when play was suspended due to inclement weather after she’d struck a perfect drive at the par-five 18th. Returning to the course after a delay of an hour, Atthaya left herself a slippery eight-footer for a four that would have extended the contest. But it was not to be.

“For that putt (on 18), I felt okay. I told myself to do my best. Although I missed it, I am still proud of myself,” said Atthaya, who was appearing in her third Honda LPGA Thailand, but her first as a professional.

A five-time Thai LPGA Tour winner, Atthaya is now setting her sights on playing the remainder of the season on the LET before entering the LPGA Tour’s Qualifying School in October. Expect to be hearing much more about her in the months ahead.