Ariya, Pornanong depart with high hopes for gold

Ariya, Pornanong depart with high hopes for gold

Ariya Jutanugarn (right) and Pornanong Phatlum at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday.
Ariya Jutanugarn (right) and Pornanong Phatlum at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday.

Golfers Ariya Jutanugarn and Pornanong Phatlum insist they are ready for the 2016 Olympics.

The two departed for Brazil on Thursday and hope to return from Rio de Janeiro with medals.

The women's golf event will be played from Aug 17-20 at the 6,245-yard, par-71 Olympic Golf Course.

World No.2 Ariya, who has won four LPGA Tour titles this year including last month's Women's British Open, is tipped to vie with No.1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand for the gold medal.

Ko has also claimed four titles this year including the ANA Inspiration where she came from behind to win after Ariya suffered a late collapse.

The 21-year-old Ariya, who is the first Thai to win on the LPGA Tour, said she was satisfied with her one-week preparations in Thailand ahead of the Games.

She said she had never seen the newly-built Olympic golf venue, which is a links course.

"I am happy with my preparations," said the Bangkok native who represented Thailand at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

"I have heard that the Olympic Golf Course is a links course and it is windy. I will have to see it first to make a plan about how to play."

Ariya, who captained the Thai team at the International Crown last month, said expectations did not put her under pressure.

"I do not feel under pressure but I want to win the gold medal," she said.

"I will try to enjoy the game as best as I can. I am more determined to win the gold medal after seeing other Thai athletes win gold medals."

Thailand have already secured two gold medals at the Rio Games via weightlifters Sopita Tanasan and Sukanya Srisurat.

Chaiyaphum-born Pornanong, 27, admitted that she had not been in good form lately and said she had tried to improve her game.

"My game is better now and I feel more confident," said world No.36 Pornanong.

"The Olympics are a big and important tournament so I will do my best to win a medal."

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