Returning for its 16th edition this month, with an increased prize purse of US$1.7 million, is the Honda LPGA Thailand, promising riveting showcase of skill when Southeast Asia’s longest running tournament tees off at the Siam Country Club Old Course in Pattaya, Chonburi Province from February 23-26, 2023.

Golf aficionados can expect world-class on-course action from the rousing 72-player field, led by the World’s Top 4: Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee and Atthaya Thitikul, ranked first to fourth respectively on the official Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Competitors will also have a shot at winning the Honda Accord e:HEV TECH variant, worth THB1,799,000 (approximately US$52,000), for the first Hole-in-One on the 16th hole.

“We are ready to welcome back players and fans from around the world in full force,” said Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Board Chairman of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co, Ltd. “The field has been increased to 72 players and will include defending champion Nanna Koerstz Madsen, World No 1 Lydia Ko, star sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda, together with Minjee Lee, Brooke Henderson and Nasa Hataoka.”

A total of 11 Thai players will represent their country, including fan favourites Atthaya, Pajaree Anannarukarn, Patty Tavatanakit, Moriya Jutanugarn, Ariya Jutanugarn and Pornanong Phatlum. Joining them will be sponsor’s invites Wichanee Meechai, Jaravee Boonchant, Chanettee Wannasaen and Arpichaya Yubol, as well as Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, winner of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2023 National Qualifiers.

Ko is looking forward to returning to the ‘Land of Smiles’. “I love playing in Thailand, and the Honda LPGA Thailand will be the first LPGA event I play in the beginning of 2023. I’ll be doing my best,” said the 25-year-old Kiwi.

Nelly Korda, who won the Pelican Women’s Championship last year, will be returning to the field for the first time since 2019. “It’s exciting to be back in Asia. I’m looking forward to playing my best and having this tournament be part of what I hope to be a very successful 2023 season.”

Atthaya, reigning Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year and the youngest female Thai player to attain World No 1 status, underlined the importance of the Honda LPGA Thailand on Thai golfers’ event schedule.

“For me, it has been a tournament I’ve watched since nine years old. I was honoured to compete for the first time in 2017 with a sponsor’s invitation and I’m excited to enter my fifth year of competing on this field.

“I will do my very best to make my fans and Thailand proud, and I hope that I too can help inspire young and upcoming golfers, just as I benefitted from the Honda LPGA Thailand,” shared the Ratchaburi native, who will turn 20 three days before the tournament begins.

Held in partnership with Sports Authority of Thailand, the Honda LPGA Thailand hosts key programmes that are part of the ‘Road to Honda LPGA Thailand’ initiative, which focuses on the sustainable growth and development of Thailand’s golf industry such as the Honda LPGA Thailand 2023 National Qualifiers, Young Ambassador Programme and Junior Golf Clinic.

To know more, visit the official tournament website Honda LPGA Thailand 2023.