PATTAYA: Park In-Bee is on a double mission when she tees off at the US$1.5 million Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club’s Old Course today.
From left, Stacy Lewis, Park In-Bee, Suzann Pettersen and Lydia Ko. PHOTOS BY TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
In her first event of the season, the South Korean will not only be trying to defend her Pattaya title but also her world No.1 position.
The 25-year-old, who skipped the first two tournaments of the season in Bahamas and Australia, is under threat of losing the top ranking as No.2 Suzann Pettersen ofNorway andNo.3 Stacy Lewis of the US have both made it clear that they want to dethrone her.
But Park is in confident mood and is looking forward to a better season than last year when she won five tournaments including three majors.
‘‘Iamingoodshape. I feel comfortable coming here. I feel good,’’ said Park who is chasing her 10th LPGA title.
‘‘About five weeks in Australia, I did some training and had a lot of fun. I feel good about coming here this week and feel excited.’’
She added: ‘‘Every new season I think about doing better than last year. That’s usually my goal. But it is going to be tough. So is this tournament. It’s going to be tough to beatmylast year’s record.’’ Park said being a happier person may be more important than winning more titles.
Lewis has been in good form with two top-10 finishes in the year’s first two events.
‘‘With two top-10s to start the year, I’ve been right there,’’ said the eighttime LPGA winner.
‘‘My game is really close to where I want it. I am looking forward to the week and giving myself another chance to win.’’
Her best result here was joint third last yearwhenshewastwostrokes behind the champion.
Pettersen said: ‘‘We’ve had some great rivalries between a bunch of girls.
‘‘I think the LPGA Tour gets better and better. To see girls like Lydia [Ko] that are so young and so competitive at such an early age, it’s very impressive.’’ Park, Pettersen and Lewis will play together in the first two rounds with their group scheduled to tee off at 11.51am today.
World No.4 Lydia Ko of New Zealand said she had started to gain confidence after turning professional late last year. ‘‘I had good results in the last couple of tournaments and that boostsmyconfidence,’’ said the 16-year-old who won two LPGA tournaments as amateur.
‘‘There is a little bit more pressure. I’ve been trying to concentrate on my golf and my game rather than anything else.’’
Thai teenager Ariya Jutanugarn, who squandered a two-shot lead at the final hole to hand Park the title last year, said she had put the disappointment behind her.
World No.34 Ariya missed the cut at last week’s Women’s Australian Open—her first tournament in eight months.
‘‘I am not as confident as I was last year. I amnot at full strength,’’ said the 18-year-old. ‘‘I hope to gain my feeling back and play more competitively in the second half of the year to reach the top 25 in the world rankings.’’
In her fifth appearance at the Honda LPGA Thailand, world No.30 Pornanong Phatlum looks more confident and believes she has a chance to secure her first win on the tour.
‘‘I am more confident. It is much better than last year,’’ said the 24-yearold who was tied for third in Bahamas.
‘‘I think I have a chance to win this year — maybe this week.’’
Pornanong, who is in her fourth year on the tour, enjoyed top-three finishes in her last three tournaments.
She will play with American Gerina Piller andParkHeeYoung of South Korea at 10.23am.
From left, Moriya Jutanugarn, Ariya Jutanugarn, Pornanong Phatlum and Thidapa Suwannapura.