CHONBURI – Patty Tavatanakit needed a birdie at the 18th hole to hold off Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela by one stroke in a nail-biting finale to the LPGA Thailand on Feb 25.
It was the second victory in consecutive weeks for former Major champion Patty, who won the Saudi International on the Ladies European Tour seven days ago.
Patty finished on 21-under 267 after a round of 67 to withstand a charge from the gutsy world No. 91 Valenzuela, who fired six birdies on the back nine on her way to a nine-under 63.
Patty coolly chipped her third shot at the par-five 18th to a few inches and burst into tears after she tapped home the winning putt at Siam Country Club, Pattaya, after a titanic struggle on the back nine.
“It was a lot of emotions,” admitted the 24-year-old. “It was joy. I felt so proud.
“I had so much pressure on me playing in front of the home crowd, and I was able to do that.
“I just felt like, OK, like I need to make up and down to win the match. As soon as it stopped about a couple of inches away from the hole, I was like, yep, I won.”
South Korea’s Kim Sei-young and Choi Hye-jin tied for third, two shots further adrift, at the US$1.7 million (S$2.3 million) tournament.
Valenzuela held the clubhouse lead on Feb 25 after she finished on 20-under 268 and Patty, who had started the day three strokes clear of the field, dropped her only shot of the round at the par-four 15th.
But the Thai world No. 43 composed herself to birdie the 16th and 18th and lift her second career LPGA title after the 2021 ANA Inspiration, now known as the Chevron Championship and one of five women’s Majors.
“I’m honestly speechless right now,” said Patty.
“It’s a dream come true to win here. It was unbelievable. I still couldn’t believe I did that today.”
Patty, who will be in Singapore for the Feb 29-March 3 HSBC Women’s World Championship and the March 7-10 Hana Financial Group Singapore Women’s Open, is only the second homegrown player to win the LPGA Thailand after Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021.
“I was outside the ropes (watching) at one point in my life and now I’m inside, getting to play with all these amazing girls,” she said.
“They’re the best in the world. To be able to close it out is pretty surreal right now.”
Valenzuela, who started the day five shots behind Patty, stormed out of the gates with a birdie at the first and an eagle two at the par-four fifth, before charging into the lead briefly with a remarkable run of six birdies in her final eight holes.
“I’m just really proud of myself. I just fought really hard,” said the 26-year-old. AFP
