Moriya and Ariya primed for Honda

Moriya and Ariya primed for Honda

PATTAYA : Sisters Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn are expected to shine at the Honda LPGA Thailand which tees off tomorrow.

Defending champion Tseng Yani, centre, with, from left, Sandra Gal, Ai Miyazato, Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie.

The teenagers have played in the event before but this will be their first appearance as professionals in the country's premier women's golf tournament.

They are among 10 sponsor invites along with compatriots Numa Gulyanamitta and Supamas Saengchan and Michelle Wie of the US.

The other Thai in the US$1.5 million tournament is Pornanong Phatlum, who will be playing at Siam Country Club's Old Course as a top-60 player on the LPGA Tour money list.

The 70-player tournament features an elite field of the top 60 LPGA players, led by world No.1 and defending champion Tseng Yani of Taiwan.

Moriya, 18, should be confident after finishing equal-fourth in her first LPGA event as a professional at the season-opening Women's Australian Open.

She said the Pattaya lay-out was tougher than last year but hoped her experience would help her to tame the course.

Her father, Somboon, also believed that Moriya would have a good result.

"The course has been changed a bit with tougher rough," he said.

"Putting will be a key to success here because the greens are quite fast."

He admitted that his daughter must improve her mental strength to become successful in professional golf.

"But I am sure that she will do better than last year," Somboon said.

Moriya, who was a co-medallist at the LPGA qualifying school, finished tied-41st in last year's 70-player field.

Ariya, 17, had a better result than her elder sister last year with an equal-12th finish.

Ariya, who won at the Ladies European Tour qualifying school, made an impressive start to her professional career.

She was a runner-up at the LET's season-opening Volvik RACV Ladies Masters in Australia and finished 25th at the New Zealand Women's Open earlier this month.

Although Moriya has been playing well lately, Somboon believes Ariya will do better at Siam Country Club.

"Ariya feels more comfortable playing at Old Course and she will get a better result than her sister," he said.

The sisters have received a financial boost after signing sponsorship deals with Krungthai bank _ their fifth sponsor after SCG, Cotto, Rico and Thai Airways International.

On the first two days, Moriya will play with Cristie Kerr of the US and Spain's Beatriz Recari, while Ariya is grouped with American Morgan Pressel and South Korea's Ji Eun-Hee.

In her third year on the LPGA Tour, Pornaong, 23, will be playing in her fifth Honda event.

She said the course was tougher with fast and elevated greens and more difficult rough.

"I have played here many times but the rough is so steep this year," said Pornanong who was 14th last year.

In the first two rounds, Pornanong will play with LPGA Player of the Year Stacy Lewis of the US and reigning US Women's Open champion Choi Na Yeon of South Korea.

Amateur Supamas, 16, admitted she will be nervous playing in the star-studded tournament.

Virada Nirapathpongporn, her mentor and national coach, said it would be difficult for her inexperienced pupil.

"At least she will gain experience," said Virada who played at Siam Country Club in 2008 and 2010.

"I have given her all the information about the course and how to play each shot. I have told her to play it safe in the first two rounds and try to avoid mistakes.

"After that, she should be able to enjoy playing her own game."

Supamas may not become too nervous in the opening round as she will play alongside compatriot Numa and South Korea's Hee Won Han, winner of the first Honda LPGA Thailand in 2006.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT