Several top players, led by world No.1 Lydia Ko and home favourite Atthaya Thitikul, will compete in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2023 in Pattaya next week, organisers said yesterday.
The US$1.7 tournament will be held at Siam Country Club from Feb 23-26.
Apart from New Zealand's Ko and world No.4 Atthaya, other big-name stars in the 72-player field include No.2 Nelly Korda, No.3 Minjee Lee, No.5 Ko Jin-Young, No.6 Brooke Henderson, and No.8 Chun In-Gee.
Nanna Koerstz Madsen from Denmark will defend the title.
Other Thais in the 16th edition of the LPGA Thailand include major winners Patty Tavatanakit and Ariya Jutanugarn, the only local player to have won the tournament with her success coming in 2021, Moriya Jutanugarn, Pajaree Anannarukarn and Pornanong Phatlum.
"Sadly, I could not participate in 2022, but I am hopeful I can make up for that with success at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2023. I'm excited to be back in Thailand to experience the great Thai hospitality and warmth that surrounds the event once again," said Lydia Ko.
South Korea's Ko Jin-Young said: "I'm ready for a good 2023 season and aim to give my best at the Honda LPGA Thailand. The strategy is to be consistent on Siam Country Club's Old Course."
"I also like being here in Thailand as there's always a warm welcome and the fans are great."
Ko is returning from a wrist injury that ruined her 2022 season.
Jessica Korda, winner of the LPGA Thailand 2018, will return to the country for the first time since 2019.
"I'm honoured to be going back after a long time and playing alongside some of the world's great players in beautiful Thailand," said Korda, older sister of Nelly.
"I love the challenge here and will work hard to make another impactful appearance at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2023."
Tickets are available at facebook.com/lpgaThailad.