Thai sets mark as youngest to win ladies title
Print Edition
A THAI teenager became the youngest known winner of a professional golf tournament yesterday, overcoming huge pressure to secure a two-shot victory at the Ladies European Thailand Championship in Pattaya.
There were gasps from the crowd as Atthaya Thitikul — aged just 14 years and four months —calmly slotted home a must-win final putt on the 18th to see off Ana Menendez of Mexico.
Her victory smashes the current record set by Canada’s Brooke Henderson who won the Canadian Women’s Tour in June 2012 aged 14 years, nine months and three days.
She also beats the Ladies European Tour record held by former No. 1 Lydia Ko who took the 2013 New Zealand Open aged 15 years, nine months and 17 days.
Atthaya, who hails from Thailand’s western province of Rachaburi, turned 14 on 20 February. Local media said she first picked up a golf club aged six.
Atthaya produced a level-par 72 at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club yesterday to finish the week on 5-under-par 283. She began her fourth round one shot behind Menendez after posting rounds of 70, 71 and 70. But the Mexican player dropped four shots on the front nine, handing Atthaya a two-shot lead at the turn after one birdie and two bogeys on her first nine holes.
“I’m so happy for my win this week and feel so proud of myself. I give this win to all Thais,” said Atthaya who took inspiration from former Thai top-ranked player Ariya Jutanugarn.
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