Pattaya: Mexico’s Ana Menendez went close to lifting the inaugural Ladies European Thailand last year and she is hoping to go one better this week.
The €300,000 tournament, sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour (LET), tees off today at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club.
Menendez finished second behind Thai teenage sensation Atthaya Thitikul, who became the youngest ever winner in a professional golf event at 14 years, four months and 19 days with her win.
Atthaya is not defending the title as she is training with the national team for the Asian Games in August.
Menendez is taking inspiration from Mexico defeating holders Germany 1-0 in their opening game at the 2018 World Cup on Sunday.
“I honestly didn’t think we were going to win that game and I’m really annoyed with myself that I didn’t manage to stay up and watch it,” Menendez told www.ladieseuropeantour.com.
“It was really cool and everyone at home is very happy and are now hopeful for the next couple of games.
“It was crazy [in Mexico]. People were on the streets celebrating and they produced a small earthquake in terms of the noise and jumping around! I think it is really cool to see that. I feel inspired by them. It shows
you that anything is possible and you do not need to be the No.1 favourite to win, as Mexico definitely wasn’t expected to win. I think it is really cool that in sport, anything can happen.”
She added: “I think last year I stayed very patient with my game and you need that out there as you can get some funny bounces on the course.
“I really think patience is going to be important again this week.”
A number of Thais are in the field this week including teenagers Saranporn Langkulgasettri, Wannasiri Sirisamphan and Apichaya Yubol.
Saranporn, 18, has claimed at least one win each year since 2016.