Atthaya Thitikul starts LET career in Dubbo

Atthaya Thitikul will begin her LET debut at the Women’s New South Wales Open which is scheduled to tee off at Dubbo Golf Club on Thursday

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Atthaya_Thitikul - LET Image - TJ

Feb 26, 2020: Two-time Ladies European Thailand Championship winner Atthaya Thitikul begins her LET career in the Women’s New South Wales Open at Dubbo Golf Club tomorrow.

Atthaya, who turned 17 six days ago, made her professional debut in the Singha-SAT Thai LPGA Championship at Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club a fortnight ago, where she tied for fourth place, but she is the favourite to win this week on account of her incredible record as an amateur.

Atthaya introduced herself to international fans when she became the youngest ever golfer to win a professional golf tournament, at the LET’s Ladies European Thailand Championship, at Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, on 9 July 2017, when she was aged just 14 years, four months and 19 days.

Although Atthaya was unavailable to defend her crown in 2018, she returned in 2019 and carded rounds of 69, 67, 63 and 67 for a winning total of 22-under-par, to win by five strokes over Esther Henseleit, who would go on to claim the LET Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year titles.

At 16 years, four months and three days, the world’s No 5 ranked amateur player became the youngest golfer to win two Ladies European Tour titles in July 2019 and now, in 2020, she will be playing as a rookie with a winner’s category of membership – and a chance to claim a third LET title.

“This is my first time playing as a professional on the LET and I just want to enjoy the course, enjoy the moment here and play my best. I am not thinking about the result. If I try my best, it will be good,” said Atthaya, before her practise round was interrupted by heavy rain and storms on Wednesday.

She had already played two practise rounds on Monday and Tuesday and said that she enjoyed the test at Dubbo.

“The golf course is good and the fairways are a little tight. I think on this course, if the first shot is good, then the other shots will be easier.

“I like the greens. The grass is quite lush and the speed is really good. They are a little hilly, but not too much.

“My game is not as good as it has been and I have to work on my driver a bit to gain more distance. I want to work on my short game as well.

“This is my first time in Australia and I feel really good with the weather, which is warm, like Thailand.”

She concluded: “It’s great to see and study a new culture. I am looking forward to the tournament and I hope to go to the zoo, as well.”

Atthaya will start her LET debut from the 10th tee at 8.55am on Thursday, playing in the company of Whitney Hillier and Julia Engström.

Ladies European Tour Release