While there is plenty at stake this week at the Final Stage of Lalla Aicha Q-School in Morocco, one hopeful is playing for more than just her Ladies European Tour (LET) status in the ultimate feel-good story of the year.
One of four Thai players competing in Marrakech, Onnarin Sattayabanphot is vying for membership in honour of her late friend and compatriot Titiya Plucksataporn, the former LET player who tragically lost her battle with cancer in 2022.
Plucksataporn and Sattayabanphot – nicknamed Moo – played together in Thailand and were close friends on the LPGA of Japan Tour – the circuit the latter has competed on for most of her professional career, picking up three wins.
Now though, it is all about LET status as the 39-year-old looks to follow in Plucksataporn’s footsteps and make it on to the same tour where her friend made 186 starts across 14 years.
“This week is for my old friend, Titiya, who passed away last year,” Sattayabanphot explained. “She played on the LET and I miss her a lot. This is kind of just for her.
“She played on the LET a long time ago, but I went to play on the Japan tour with her.”
Thus far, Moo is honouring her late friend tremendously well having carded rounds of 70 (-2) and 68 (-5) at Royal Golf Marrakech and Al Maaden Golf Marrakech respectively to sit inside the top-10 of the leaderboard with three rounds left to play.
“I just have to stay in the present,” she said after day two. “Remain in the moment and take it from there. I hit good shots today and a lot of putts dropped.
“I actually didn’t have a chance to practice on the front nine [at Al Maaden]. I needed to save my energy for the rest of the week!”
Helping Moo along the way this week is another Thai player, Aunchisa Utama, who also sits inside the top-10 through two rounds on seven-under par.
“I have wanted to play on the LET for so long!” Utama said. “A couple of years ago I planned with Trichat [Cheenglab] and I was going to apply to Q-School with her last year, but I couldn’t make it. I have come this year.
“I play together with Trichat at home. She is such an inspiration for us. We have four Thai players here this week – it’s a good thing!”
Thai players have fared exceptionally well in recent years upon joining the LET, with seven players earning wins over the past three decades.
Within this group, Atthya Thitikul (2021) and Cheenglab (2023) both went on to win the Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year double, giving Thai players like Sattayabanphot and Utama motivation to also find success on the LET.
The third round begins at 9.30 am (local time) with the our Thai duo switching back to Royal Golf Marrakech once again.
Follow all the action on @LETGolf and @letaccess on Instagram and X and Ladies European Tour on Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #LETQSchool.
