The meteoric rise of Ariya Jutanugarn to No.2 in the world rankings this year is having the desired impact as a bunch of Thai newcomers to the LPGA Tour are anxious to emulate her success.
Thailand's lady golfers made the headlines throughout 2016 with the highlight being the emergence of 21-year-old Ariya as the country's first and only winner on the LPGA Tour. She ended the year with five titles to her credit.
Ariya was accompanied by Pornanong Phatlum, Moriya Jutanugarn, Patcharajutar Kongkraphan, Nontaya Srisawang, Budsabakorn Sukapan, Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras and Benyapa Niphatsophon on the LPGA Tour this season.
While Budsabakorn, Pannarat and Benyapa failed to keep their cards for next season, the number of Thai players in the top flight will remain unchanged as newcomers Wichanee Meechai, Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong and Pavarisa Yoktuan will join the tour next year.
Wichanee and Sherman earned their cards through the Symetra Tour, while Pavarisa made it via the LPGA Q-school.
They are hoping to add another dimension to the Thai contingent.
Wichanee, 23, finished fourth on the Symetra Tour's money list with US$86,217 and is especially proud to have made it to the world's premier female tour. Her target for the her debut season on the LPGA Tour is not just to keep the card.
"I will try to finish among the top 10 on the LPGA money list," said the golfer, whose best results this year were three runner-up spots.
In fact, Wichanee came close to wining a tour card when she entered the LPGA Q-school in 2015 and finished tied for 22nd place in the final stage. After that disappointment, she returned to playing on the Symetra Tour.
Her father Wanchai, who works as the tournament director on the Asian Tour, believes that the experience of playing on the Symetra Tour will aid her efforts on the LPGA Tour where the course set-ups are not much different.
"The course set-ups are almost the same. They are always tough. My daughter is now familiar with this," he said.
"However, things are bound to be much tougher when you take into account the atmosphere and the quality of players. That will put a lot of pressure on her."
After proudly supporting Wichanee to the point of securing her place on the tour, Wanchai said now it was up to her to handle the extra pressure and stay competitive.
However, he does not expect much from Wichanee in her debut season.
"I want her to enjoy her golf and prove herself on the tour," he said.
"Failing to keep the card is not the end of the world. There are lots of tours to play in the world if you are good enough."
Wanchai added that world No.2 Ariya has proved that Thais have the potential to be successful and they can hope for success as long as they do not give up.
"Just do not give up. Ariya has set a good example. Ariya missed the cut in 10 events in a row last year but she came back strongly with five wins this year," he said.
Sherman's path to the LPGA Tour has been similar to Wichanee.
The 19-year-old, nicknamed 'Champagne', won the season-ending Symentra Tour Championship and finished 20th on the money list in 2015. She then joined the qualifying school that year where she finished tied for 26th, just two shots behind the top-20 finishers.
Her failure to get a card forced her back to the Symetra Tour in 2016. And now, finally, her dream has become true. Like Wichanee, her goal is to do better than just keeping the card.
"Rather than keeping the card, I am targeting a top-60 finish in my debut season," she said.
Sherman, who idolises Pornanong and Rory McIlroy, added that her two-year experience on the Symetra Tour taught her that to get a good result, she needs to be happy with the course.
"The first year I played in the Symetra Tour, I was too focused on my golf and it did not work well," she said.
"I tried to be more relaxed in the second year and I got better. Therefore, I will try to be happy and relaxed for my debut on the LPGA Tour and give it my best shot."
Pavarisa, 21, was third-time lucky in trying to win a tour card. After failing on her first two attempts, she made it this time by stealing one of the last available spots after tying for 19th place.
The Nakhon Si Thammarat native, who finished 15th on the Symetra Tour this year, is now working hard and is confident she that can hold onto the card.
"I am focusing more on the physical side," she said. "It was tough on the Symetra Tour, but I got used to the environment.
"I know it will be tougher than the Symetra Tour, but I am ready for the challenge."
Santi Bhirombhakdi, boss of Singha Corporation, which has been instrumental in the development of golf in the country, said the three Thais had the ability to be successful and they should take inspiration from both Ariya and Pornanong.
"Give all you can. Do not give up. You can take Ariya and Pornanong as your idols for inspiration," he said.
The trio will start their campaign in the Bahamas on Jan 26-29.