CHON BURI: Ariya Jutanugarn became the first local winner of the Honda LPGA Thailand yesterday, beating compatriot Atthaya Thitikul by one stroke in a dramatic finish to the US$1.6 million tournament.
Ariya saved her best for last with a brilliant nine-under-par 63 in the final for 266 while teenager Atthaya carded a 68 for 267 at Siam Country Club.
The 25-year-old from Bangkok received US$240,000 (approx 7.5 million baht) in prize money while Atthaya got $148,877 (4.8 million baht).
Ariya shed tears of joy as she became the first Thai to win her country's most prestigious women's golf tournament which was launched in 2006.
The tournament was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and was not held in 2008.
Ariya's victory ended the Kingdom's 15-year wait for a home champion and also buried the ghosts of the 2013 LPGA Thailand when Ariya cried after she triple-bogeyed the last hole to blow a two-stroke advantage and hand South Korea's Park In-Bee the title.
Ariya, who is nicknamed 'May,' went on to become Thailand's first champion on the LPGA Tour in 2016.
In yesterday's final round, Ariya made her ninth birdie on the 18th hole to take the lead but had a nervous wait in the clubhouse before her 11th LPGA Tour title was confirmed as a thunderstorm warning forced a one-hour suspension of play.
Moments earlier, Atthaya, 18, three-putted the 17th for her only bogey of the final round which proved costly in the end.
Atthaya, who had led by a shot with two holes to play, and five other players were still on the course when play was halted.
Atthaya was the only one who could catch Ariya when her round was paused on the 18th fairway with a shot off the pace.
After play resumed, the teenager missed a short putt for birdie and was only able to par the 18th to hand the title to Ariya who first played in the tournament as an 11-year-old qualifier in 2007.
"I'm proud of myself. This means the world to me because one of my biggest dreams was to win in Thailand especially after 2013," said the twice major winner.
"I've been waiting for so long and finally I got it. It was pretty tough because when play was suspended I wanted to know the result. I really wanted to watch how she [Atthaya] played on that last hole, but my caddie stopped me."
The former world No.1 said she thought she would have to return to action in a play-off and had begun warming up.
Ariya had suffered a slump in form and had not won since her triumph at the 2018 Ladies Scottish Open.
"I had a tough time the last two years. Sometimes, I told myself I wanted to rest and stop [playing golf] for a while. But at the same time, I knew I could not give up as I needed to try harder and one day, that win would come again," said Ariya, who was No.33 in the world entering the LPGA Thailand.
Atthaya had looked on course for a maiden LPGA Tour title until she three-putted the 17th hole as Ariya hit a brilliant five-iron onto the 18th green to give herself a putt for an eagle.
Ariya had to settle for a birdie but it proved just enough for victory.
Atthaya said even though she didn't win, she was proud of the way she played.
"This is a new experience, having been so close to a win," said the Ratchaburi native who won twice on the Ladies European Tour when she was an amateur. "For that putt [on the 18th hole], I just felt OK. I told myself to do your best. Although I missed it, I am still proud of myself."
Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit, who held a one-shot lead after three rounds, ran out of steam on the final day and could manage only a 70.
The ANA Inspiration champion finished tied for fourth on 268 with South Koreans Ryu So-Yeon and Amy Yang, and American Angel Yin.