The top three stars will play together in one group and three of the most exciting teenagers in another in the first two rounds of the Honda LPGA Thailand, which tees off tomorrow.
Back row, from left, Beatriz Recari, Ariya Jutanugarn, Mika Miyazato, Moriya Jutanugarn, Pornanong Phatlum and Park In-Bee; front row, from left, Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie.
World No.1 Park In-Bee of South Korea, No.2 Suzann Pettersen of Norway and No.3 Stacy Lewis of the US are in the same group, while Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn will play alongside New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and American Lexi Thompson.
Pettersen and Lewis will be trying to dethrone Park as defending champion of the Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club, Old Course, in Pattaya. World No.4 Ko, 16, will be trying to seal her first LPGA win after turing professional late last year, having won two tournaments on the elite circuit as an amateur.
No.9 Thompson, who turned 19 last week, has won three LPGA events, while No.34 Ariya, 18, came close to claiming the LPGA Thailand crown last year.
Ariya held a two-shot advantage only to suffer a triple bogey on the last hole to hand the title to Park, who went on to win three majors last year.
The Pattaya event is the third of the LPGA season but Park’s first of the year. The Korean said putting would be key in her defence of the title.
‘‘Siam Country Club has very tough greens so putting well will be key,’’ she said. ‘‘It is also a tough second shot course. It needs different types of shots around the greens. So, some creativity will come into play.’’
Pornanong Phatlum is considered Thailand’s best hope. The 24-year-old finished tied for third at the LPGA season-opening Bahamas Classic last month and won the Ladies European Tour’s season finale in December.
‘‘The course is in good shape and I am ready for the challenge,’’ said the Chaiyaphum native, who was the only one of five Thais to make the cut at last week’s Women’s Australian Open.
‘‘The course was tougher last week. I am more familiar with this course.’’ The world No.30 will play alongside No.17 Park Hee-Young of South Korea and No.31 Gerina Piller of the USin the first two rounds.
The course is more challenging than the previous editions, officials said.
SiamCountry Club managing director Prasertchai Phornprapha said that the course, which is hosting the tournament for a fifth time, is in good condition.
‘‘It is about 100 yards longer than last year,’’ he said. ‘‘Last year, it played at 6,450 yards. This year, it is 6,550 yards with the par-five 10th and 18th holes becoming longer. Previously, big hitters could reach the green in two at the two holes but it isnownot possible.’’ Due to the recent cold weather, the rough is shorter while the average green speed is 11.8-12 which is considered very fast, he said.