Biggest names and rising stars heading to Pattaya

Biggest names and rising stars heading to Pattaya

All of the top 60 players on last year's money list will take part in this month's Honda LPGA Thailand, with teenage prodigy Lydia Ko, Cheynene Woods and Michelle Wie among the sponsor invites, organisers confirmed yesterday.

The US$1.5 million tournament will be held at Siam Country Club in Pattaya from Feb 21-24 and the field includes the top 60 earners on the 2012 money list, plus 10 sponsor invites.

The seventh Honda event will be headlined by defending champion Yani Tseng with other big names including last year's money winner Inbee Park, Stacey Lewis, So Yeon Ryu and Paula Creamer.

Among the 10 sponsor invites are New Zealand's Ko _ who won the 2012 Canadian Women's Open at 15 to become the youngest champion of an LPGA event _ Wie and 20-year-old Woods, the niece of Tiger Woods.

Three Japanese _ Mamiko Higa, Shinobu Moromizato and Ayako Uehara _ and three Thais _ Moriya Jutanugarn, Ariya Jutanugarn and Junthima Gulayanamitta _ have also received invitations.

The other sponsor invite spot will go to the winner of the Women's Australian Open, to be played next week.

Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum will also play in the tournament, thanks to her 55th place on the money list.

"We are ready to host the tournament," said Pitak Pruittisarikorn, executive vice-president of Honda Automobile (Thailand).

Channel 7 managing director Palakorn Somsuwan said: "The tournament has become more and more popular and last year's edition attracted almost 50,000 fans and more than 200 journalists."

Tickets are available at Thai Ticket Major, call 02-262-3456 or visit thaiticketmajor.com. Admission is free for those under 18 or over 60.

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