SINGAPORE – Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit is a girl who has loved golf all her life. Even when the sport broke her heart in the last year, she never stopped loving it.
The 24-year-old was finally rewarded when she won the Saudi Ladies International on Feb 18, carding 18-under 270 at the Riyadh Golf Club.
It was her first victory on the Ladies European Tour (LET) and first anywhere since winning the ANA Inspiration, one of the LPGA Tour’s five Majors, in April 2021.
With the fire rekindled, Patty now has a spring in her step. She told The Straits Times in an e-mail interview: “I’ve loved golf my entire life. Sometimes when things get a little bit tough, I try to remember all of the work I’ve put in, and the successes I’ve had, to get to this point where I get to live my dream every day.
“Last year, I didn’t have the year I was hoping I’d have on the golf course but I feel like I’ve learnt a lot from it. Success isn’t permanent, and neither are tough times.”
She was among the star names announced on Feb 21 who are set to feature at the Hana Financial Group Singapore Women’s Open from March 7-10 at the Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC).
“I want to continue this strong momentum, and build on what’s working. I always really enjoy playing in Singapore, so I’m really looking forward to those two tournaments,” said Patty, who will also compete at the LPGA Tour’s HSBC Women’s World Championship from Feb 29-March 3.
“I’ve had some success in Singapore in the past, and I’d love to add to that in 2024.”
She tied for third at the 2021 HSBC Women’s World Championship alongside China’s Lin Xiyu and South Korean Park In-bee and led the 2022 edition after the first round before finishing joint-26th.
Aside from Patty, Park Ji-young will be back to defend her title alongside 2023 Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) money list winner Lee Ye-won, 2023 KLPGA Rookie of the Year Kim Min-byeol and 2022 KLPGA Player of the Year Park Min-ji.
Thais Jaravee Boonchant and Natthakritta Vongtaveelap and Malaysian Ashley Lau are also set to compete.
World No. 32 Lee will hope to capitalise on her experience from the inaugural edition. She said: “When I participated in 2022, I felt like the course suits me well so I’m excited to compete in the tournament again. It was difficult for me to read the green, but I think I’ll be able to play aggressively this year from the experience gained in 2022.”
The one billion won (S$1 million) tournament is jointly sanctioned by the Singapore Golf Association and KLPGA, and is part of the Ladies Asian Tour Series.
The 2022 edition was over 54 holes, with the final round cancelled due to inclement weather at TMCC’s Tampines Course. The 2024 tournament will be increased to four rounds and 72 holes.
World No. 57 Park Ji-young said: “I feel a little nervous and excited because it’s my first title defence in 2024, but I’ll do my best as much as I prepared diligently. Frankly, I don’t feel much pressure, I just want to show my best performance again like last time.”
Singaporean Shannon Tan, 19, who made history as the country’s first winner on the LET when she captured the Magical Kenya Ladies Open on Feb 11, will be a notable absentee. However, the Republic will be represented by the likes of Amanda Tan and Koh Sock Hwee as well as amateurs Aloysa Atienza, Jaymie Ng, Chen Xingtong and Jillian Kuk.
The Singapore Women’s Open comes a week after the LPGA Tour’s HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club that features an elite field including four of the world’s top five players – Lilia Vu (No. 1), Celine Boutier (No. 3), Yin Ruoning (No. 4) and Minjee Lee (No. 5).
Other marquee golf tournaments here include the DP World Tour’s Porsche Singapore Classic at Laguna National Golf Resort Club from March 21-24 and LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa from May 3-5.
For more information, visit swo.sga.org.sg
