The Honda LPGA Thailand 2023, the second event on this year's LPGA Tour schedule, kicks off today, featuring the best players in women’s golf, including hometown favourite and World No 4 Atthaya Thitikul, who will be aiming to make her mark on one of the more popular tournaments of the season. The two-time Tour winner and reigning Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year will spearhead the local challenge in a world-class field at the US$1.7 million tournament, where competitors will also have a shot at winning the hole-in-one prize, the Honda Accord e:HEV TECH variant, worth THB1,799,000 (approximately US$52,000).

Set to showcase their skills is a host of international stars, led by World No 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand. Playing alongside the New Zealander in Pattaya will be Nelly Korda (No 2), Australian Minjee Lee (No 3), South Korean Jin Young Ko (No 5) and Canadian Brooke Henderson (No 6), who won the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida, last month.

Thailand will have a formidable contingent at Siam Country Club for the showdown on February 23-26. Major champions Patty Tavatanakit, who won the Chevron Championship in 2021, and Ariya Jutanugarn, who clinched the 2016 Women's British Open and 2018 US Women's Open, will also be in the 72-strong field. Ariya's sister and multiple LPGA Tour winner Moriya Jutanugarn, along with Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, who won the National Qualifiers at Siam Country Club Rolling Hills last month, Pornanong Phatlum, Wichanee Meechai, Chanettee Wannasaen, Jaravee Boonchant and Arpichaya Yubol, among others, will also showcase Thailand's talent in a global arena. Pajaree Anannarukarn, the 2021 ISPS Handa World Invitational winner, will also be vying for the title in Pattaya.

In the hunt for a repeat victory will be defending champion Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark, while among the sponsors invitees are fan favourites and rising golf talents of Japan, including 2022 US Amateur winner Saki Baba and twin sisters Chisato Iwai and Akie Iwai who have made a name for themselves at the JLPGA Tour, all of whom will get the opportunity to compete on a world-class stage.

Twenty-year-old Atthaya, leading the way for the Thai players, said: “It feels like a really special week for me, and also for all the Thai players, who will be playing in front of the fans here in Thailand. I have some good memories here, so it's nice to be back. I just changed my driver to a new one and it worked well last month. Hopefully it will be good this year with it. I have been working also with my coach to get some more distance, so let’s hope it will be okay."

Newly-wed Ko, coming off a big win at the Saudi Ladies International, said: “I putted really well last week and I think that was kind of the key for me to be able to win. I'm playing three weeks in a row and then taking a week off and then playing another one, so hopefully I can continue that good momentum here and not take anything for granted. I've been very thankful for the things that have happened in my life both on and off the golf course. I think a lot of great things that happened has helped me to just kind of have more fun out here.”

Korda said she too was looking forward to the challenge posed by Siam Country Club and was keen on consolidating her good start to the season.

“I love this golf course. I played pretty well out here. I enjoy coming to Thailand. I like playing in hot weather, and also the people are very nice. It's a very enjoyable trip overseas," said the 24-year-old Florida native, who finished fourth at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Two-time Major winner Lee will be making her season debut at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2023. "The course is in great condition. I played both nines now, and I think it's going to be a great tournament. Hopefully a lot of people can come out and watch. It's just really nice to be starting the year here. I always love coming back to Thailand. The food, the atmosphere is always amazing,” said the 26-year-old from Perth.

“I think it's a very ball-striking golf course, so obviously the second shot is really important. That's where I feel quite confident in terms of my game. I just think it really benefits me – this type of golf course benefits my game, I think that's why I like it," added Lee about the course.

Twenty-eight-year-old Madsen is eager to defend her title. "It's just been great coming back here. I love being here in Thailand. It's awesome coming back to where I won. Last year was definitely a big win – to see myself winning out here. It gave me a lot of confidence, yeah, obviously in the playoff. The course is in good shape. It's still playing a little softer than 2021, so I think we'll still see some very low scores out there.”

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