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Yalong Bay Golf Club is set for another “Thai-phoon” with 15 Thai girls teeing off in the €250,000 Sanya Ladies Open beginning on Friday.
The Thais form the biggest group from a single country and they are ready to storm the Sanya Ladies Open with the likes of Enjoy Jakarta Ladies Indonesia Open winner Kongkraphan Patcharajutar – more popularly known as ‘PK’ or ‘Spice Girl’; Nontaya Srisawang, Yoopan Tiranun and Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai – all of them winners on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour.
There is no argument that Patcharajutar is in the best form, as demonstrated by the fact that she leads the LAGT Money List with earnings of US$54,138, followed by Chinese Taipei’s Yu Pei Lin in second (US$37,000) and then Nontaya Srisawang (US$26,703).
The long-hitting Patcharajutar says she is feeling lucky. “Something inside me tells me that it’s going to go my way this week. So I’m looking forward to a joyful weekend,” she said.
“I like the way I’m playing right now,” said the stout-built Patcharajutar. “I’m not being complacent but I’ve lots of confidence because by swing and ball striking are close to perfection.”
“I like it playing on the LAGT. The players are well taken care of. It’s like we are pampered,” she added.
LET member Nontaya is back after a week out with illness. “My fitness is suspect especially after suffering from dengue fever but I’m ‘rebuilding’ and ready to match the others,” she said, adding that she has not lost her touch despite lack of practice.
Yoopan, who also won the Technology Cup in Taipei in August, claims to be one of the favourites. “I have been working hard to end this year on a high note. This is our penultimate event (on the LAGT) with the Hero Women’s India Open the only tournament remaining. So I’m ready for this late charge for positive results,” she said.
