Patty Tavatanakit, fueled by the support of her enthusiastic fans, showcased her resilience by making a bold birdie on the final hole, securing a memorable victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand event.
After recently clinching her first Ladies European Tour title in Saudi Arabia, the 24-year-old golfer triumphed with a one-stroke win at the prestigious US$1.7 million LPGA Tour tournament held at Siam Country Club.
Starting the final round with a three-shot lead, Patty delivered a remarkable five-under-par 67 on the Old Course, sealing her place in history as only the second homegrown champion in the 17-year history of Honda LPGA Thailand.
Expressing her joy and gratitude, Patty emotionally shared, “This is a dream come true, to win in my home country and in front of my parents.” She finished the tournament with a total score of 21-under 267, edging out Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela by one stroke. Valenzuela surged into contention with an impressive 63 in the final round.
Behind them, the Korean pair of Kim Sei-Young and Choi Hye-Jin shared third place at 270 after notable performances.
Although Patty seemed to be cruising for most of the day, her victory journey wasn’t without challenges. A late bogey added suspense to the competition, setting the stage for a thrilling finish as Valenzuela mounted a fierce comeback.
With nerves kicking in, Patty needed a clutch birdie on the last hole to avoid a playoff. Her well-executed chip shot on the final green secured the winning birdie, prompting emotional celebrations from fans and fellow players.
As she reflected on her performance and the overwhelming support, Patty humbly acknowledged the role of her team, friends, and family in her success. The prize money of $255,000 added to her recent achievement, following a $750,000 win in the previous week.
Patty’s victory establishes her as the sixth Thai player to secure multiple LPGA Tour wins. Her poignant win narrative adds to the rich tapestry of golfing success stories in Thailand, inspiring future generations of players.
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