Runner-Up Finish for Natthakritta on LPGA Tour Debut

Pattaya, Thailand: Natthakritta Vongtaveelap did not take long to stamp her mark on the LPGA Tour.

Runner-up in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) in 2021 and 2022, the big-hitting Thai joined the ranks of the professionals late last year.

Less than three months later, Natthakritta made her LPGA Tour debut in the Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course.

And what a first impression the 20-year-old made, earning a US$157,780 pay-day for finishing runner-up to American Lilia Vu.

Nonetheless, there was a tinge of disappointment for Natthakritta who held the lead heading into the final round and was bidding to become the first player to win on her LPGA Tour debut since Japanese Hinako Shibuno at the 2019 Women’s British Open.

On the final day, Natthakritta birdied the first, but then made bogey at the second and doubled the short fourth. Birdies on five, seven and eight were offset by further bogeys at six and nine as she turned in one-over 37 – just one par on her card.

A birdie on the 14th saw her regain a share of the lead with Vu with four holes to play. But while Natthakritta closed with four pars for a 71 and a 21-under aggregate, Vu posted a 64 to win by one and become the season’s first Rolex First-Time Winner.

Natthakritta earned her LPGA Tour card in late 2022 after finishing tied 28th in the LPGA Q-Series since when she has won twice on the Thai LPGA Tour.

Meanwhile, Atthaya Thitikul, winner of the inaugural WAAP in Singapore in 2018, closed with a 68 to finish third at the Honda LPGA Thailand. Last year, Atthaya won twice on the LPGA Tour and briefly held the number one spot in the Rolex Women’s Golf Rankings.

Yuka Saso, who lost out to Atthaya in a four-way play-off at the WAAP in 2018 and went on to win the US Open in 2021, tied for 20th in the Honda LPGA Thailand.

There was also a noteworthy performance from Japanese amateur Saki Baba. Winner of last year’s US Women’s Amateur and currently fourth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Baba shared 34th place at Siam Country Club on nine-under 279.