The Honda LPGA Thailand 2017 will be held on Feb 23-26 in Pattaya, organisers announced yesterday.
With a total purse of US$1.6 million (about 57 milion baht) and a Honda Civic Turbo RS worth 1.19 million baht as a hole-in-one prize, the 11th edition of the tournament will again take place at Siam Country Club, Old Course.
Pitak Pruittisarikorn, COO of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co, said the tournament is becoming more popular among players and fans.
More importantly, it gives young Thai golfers a chance to compete with world-class players, he said.
Palakorn Somsuwan, managing director of Bangkok Broadcasting & TV Co, said more spectators are expected in the 2017 event thanks to the success of Thailand's world No.2 Ariya Jutanugarn.
"We are looking forward to more spectators due to the presence of Thai players on the tour particularly Ariya who was outstanding in the 2016 season,'' Palakorn said.
Ariya, who turned 21 yesterday, won five times on the 2016 LPGA Tour which ended on Sunday.
The first Thai winner on the tour, Ariya won the player of the year, Race to CME Globe and money titles after the season-ending Tour Championship on Sunday.
The Honda LPGA Thailand will feature the top-57 players on the 2016 money lists, 10 sponsor invites and the first three winners of the 2017 season.
Ariya, the 2016 money winner, will be joined in the Pattaya event by her sister Moriya and Pornanong Phatlum.
World No.1 Lydia Ko is expected to return to Pattaya after her debut in 2014.
"She told me that she will come to Thailand next year," Ariya said.
American Lexi Thompson claimed the 2016 title with a six-stroke win.
BUBBA FOR MAYOR?
Bubba Watson is already thinking about his career after golf, which just might include public office.
He wants to run for mayor, the Associated Press reported.
"I've had a dream," Watson said. "I moved back in the city limits of Pensacola [in Florida] so one day I can run for mayor."
The two-time Masters champion already is building quite the local enterprise at home.
Last year he became a part-owner of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a Double A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
This year, he opened a candy shop in Pensacola called "Bubba's Sweet Spot," serving up premium candy and ice cream.
"What American doesn't like chocolate? So for me, it was something fun," Watson said. "That really is a kid in a candy store, like everyone talks about. We built it from scratch. That wasn't buying a shop."
And he didn't stop there. His latest venture is a car dealership, Sandy and Bubba's Milton Chevrolet (he thinks the new electric car is going to be big), along with a robotics company in Pensacola that makes everything from military equipment to toys.
He has invested in a few golf courses, and he is involved in an apartment complex being built in Pensacola.
Watson, who defends his title next week in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, has 10 victories worldwide, and his PGA Tour earnings alone top $35 million.