Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum hopes to bury the ghosts of her poor results at the Kraft Nabisco Championship when she tees off at the year's first major in California today.
Pornanong Phatlum is the most experienced of the three Thais in the Kraft Nabisco field.
Pornanong is the most experienced player among three Thais at Mission Hills Country Club, with rookies Moriya Jutanugarn and Thidapa Suwannapura the other two.
Pornanong finished 72th in 2011 and 56th in 2012 at the major in her first two years on the LPGA Tour.
But the 23-year-old will be competing in this year's edition brimming with confidence after finishing tied third at the Kia Classic two weeks ago.
It was her best LPGA result although she won last year's Brasil Cup, an exhibition event sanctioned by the tour.
Her manager, Supika Maphungphong, said Pornanong's bid should be boosted by her soaring confidence.
"Pornanong will surely have more confidence this year after her good result at the Kia Classic," said Supika, who also manages Thidapa.
"Thidapa has been practising hard on her putting after an unconvincing performance at the Kia Classic."
Supika also said the course is in good condition but the difficult greens and wind could pose a challenge.
Pornanong is 12th on the money list with US$143,133 from five starts, while Thidapa, who will be making her debut at the Kraft event, is 39th with US$49,135 from three tournaments.
It will be Moriya's second appearance in the tournament and first as a professional. She missed the cut last year when her younger sister Ariya was the low amateur after finishing 22nd overall. The 18-year-old is 16th on the money list with US$112,332 from five starts.
"I do not want to put too much pressure on her after she missed the cut last year," said her mother, Narumol Tiwattanasuk.
"She has improved considerably and I am happy with the way she is playing now."
In the first two rounds, Pornanong will play with Morgan Pressel of the US, Thidapa is paired with England's Karen Stupples and Moriya is grouped with American Isabelle Lendl, daughter of tennis great Ivan Lendl.
In Hua Hin, Nontaya Srisawang yesterday won by five strokes at the Singha-SAT ThaiLPGA Championship.
The 25-year-old, who led from the opening day, posted a four-under-par 68 in the final round to win on 207 in the second event of the season on the ThaiLPGA circuit.
Amateur Dottie Ardina of the Philippines came in second on 212 at the Royal Thai Army Sports Center.
Ranked 27th in the world, Ardina said she will turn pro next month and play on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour before competing in the LPGA qualifying school later this year.
The next tournament will be held at Bangkok's Panya Indra Golf Club from May 15-17.