“Big Sister” Patcharajutar Kongkraphan has her sights firmly fixed on winning her first title on the “SAT-TWT Open” Road to World Ranking” as the fourth circuit tees off on Wednesday at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course in Prachuab Khiri Khan.
With the absence of the red-hot Chanettee Wannasaen (currently playing on the TrustGolf Tour Series in Europe), the former LPGA member Patcharajutar is among the strong contenders in the Bt2.5 million tournament which runs between July 13-15 at the par 72 6,343 layout.
“I’ve played three SAT-TWT events and I posed two top five and one top 10 finishes. So, my goal is to win this time,” said the top Patcharakutar, AKA “PK” who is one of the Thai WPGA Board of Player Committee members or “Big Sisters.”
Hailing from Khon Kaen, PK finished at lone fifth in the previous SAT-TWT circuit at the Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club last month, her best result in the tour. However, she settled at second in three local events this year and hopes to finally finish on top this week.
“I’m determined to have a good game plan this week, reading the greens well and hit the balls as closely as I can to the desirable spots. I also need to focus on my wedge and my short game to shoot scores,” added PK whose latest victory occurred at the Grand Prix Golf Club in Kanchanaburi last July.
Also in actions at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course is 23-year-old Samaporn Khangkhun who forced the eventual champion Chanettee to the fourth play-off last month at the Phoenix Gold.
“The condition at this course will be tricky. If it’s dry, it will be very tough to play. But if the condition is moist with a perfect green condition, it will be easy. You cannot overthink playing here, just go with the flow,” said Samaporn who will start her round on Wednesday with a new iron.
Texas State University’s M.A. graduate Sasikarn Somboonsup hopes to round up inside the top 10 after finishing at joint 30th in the third circuit, her first tournament as a pro.
“My performance in the last SAT-TWT Open was not so bad as I just turned professional. The course sets up pretty challenging this week. I need to come up with a great short game and hopefully to be among the top 10 after three days,” said the 24-year-old player from Chon Buri.
The field is quite open at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course as two favourites Chanettee, who has won seven titles this year and Arpichaya Yubol, runner-up in the first two circuits, are playing in UK. First circuit winner Parinda Phokan, two-time JLPGA Step Up Tour winners Ornnarin Sattayabanphot and Filipina Princess Superal from the Philippines, lone sixth finisher in the last circuit, are among stars to watch.
The SAT-TWT Open Road to World Ranking will be competed in a three-day stroke-play format with a total of 54 holes (18 holes each day). The field acceptance will not exceed 132 players with only top 60 and ties, after 36 holes, proceeding to the final round. The winner will receive the top prize money of Bt367,500.
The SAT-TWT Open Road to World Ranking is sponsored by the Sports Authority of Thailand, National Sports Development Fund, Siam Commercial Bank, P Overseas Steal (Public Company Limited) and Golf Pride and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. Fans can catch up with news updates on ThaiWPGA Facebook Fanpage or at www.thaiwpga.com. Live streaming of the final round can be seen on ThaiWPGA Facebook Fanpage on Friday 15, July from 8am onwards.
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About Thai WPGA
The Thai Women’s Professional Golf Association has been established with the objective to support and promote Thai women’s golf activities. The association aims at organizing local tour with world ranking points in the near future which will pave the way for Thai golfers to the international arena. In addition, Thai women’s golfers can use the tour to develop their skills to meet the universal standard. Moreover, medium-proficiency level players can gain experience from Challenger tours which can help produce new generation players and at the same time develop golf human resources and systematic golf organization locally.