The in-form Atthaya Thitikul shot a second round 67 to establish a six-shot lead heading into the final
round of the Bt1 million Phoenix Ladies Classic at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya on
Saturday.
Starting at the back nine, the teenager swapped three birdies with three bogeys before getting into the
grove to fire five birdies at the front to lead on 12 under-par-132 under the highly humid condition at
the beach resort.
“I got off to a good start with a birdie on the 11th hole but then my tee shots were inconsistent,” said
the 18-year-old who won five local titles last year. “But I finally got into my momentum and started
shooting scores at the front,” added the teen prodigy who set a record at the Phoenix Gold as the
youngest player to have won two Ladies European Tour titles when she was 16. She won the LET
Thailand Championship here in 2017 and 2019.
Despite her big lead and victorious run at this landscape, Atthaya did not write off the chance of other
players to challenge her in the final day.
“Even I won here twice or have familiarity with this course, it won’t matter if things don’t go my way
tomorrow. Win or loss will be fine with me. I just need to fix some parts of my game especially on my
driver,” added Atthaya who is tuning herself up before she joins the LET in May.
Earlier this year, she competed against the men in the Thailand Mixed event in Hua Hin where she
settled at second and at the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship but missed the cut. That proves a valuable
experience for the talented young player.
“I learned interesting tips and techniques from the likes like Prayad Marksaeng and Thammanoon Sriroj.
They have good short games that I can apply,’’ said Atthaya.
Two teenagers Kultida Pramhhun and Channettee Wannasaen fell six shots off the pace.
Kultida had an uneven round where she shot an eagle on the ninth hole and three birdies only to
commit three bogeys and a double bogey on the 16th hole to settle with an even par 72 and a total six
under-par-138.
“I was playing unbelievably at the front nine but I made mistakes and couldn’t get out of troubles. I will
try to cut down unforced errors in the final round,” said the 19-year-old from Pathumthani who bagged
one career title two years ago at the Royal Hills Golf Resort and Spa in Nakhon Nayok. She believes six
shots off the lead is not too far to catch up.
“Atthaya is a good player. You have to give her for that. But anything can happen on any given day,” said
Kultida.
Channettee, 16 from Chiang Mai, became another strong contender after a second round 71. This is her
third tournament as a professional player after finishing fourth in her two last events (Thailand Masters
in 2020 and Thailand Mixed in February).
“Being at this position is beyond expectation. I just wish I had a better score. About tomorrow, I hope to
go out there and have fun,” said Chanettee.
A total of 82 players will progress to the Sunday’s round. The cut was made at 10 over par.