Thailand’s rising young star Patty Tavatanakit will be very much in the spotlight this week in Singapore as she makes her HSBC Women’s World Championship debut at Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong Course.
The long-hitting sensation stunned the golf world earlier this month when she won her first LPGA title in a Major, the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club in California. Tavatanakit pummeled the Dinah Shore Tournament Course into submission, averaging a mind-blowing 323 yards off the tee en route to an 18-under-par total and a two-shot victory over former World No 1 Lydia Ko.
Amidst all the attention, however, the 21-year-old is just glad to be back in this part of the world. “You know, I’m just really glad that we’re all back in Asia and playing again. I haven’t been in Asia at all since the pandemic.
“Love Singapore, always love visiting … I just wish we could do more things outside the hotel, but we’re not allowed to due to the restrictions right now, which is fine. I always enjoy coming here and playing golf here. The course is in great condition and everyone is just so welcoming,” noted Tavatanakit, who turned professional in mid-2019 after two highly-decorated years on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) golf team.
“Really appreciate all the work by the tournament staff and HSBC and all the sponsors who put everything together this week. I can’t imagine how hard it must be.”
Asked about the pressures that followed the ANA Inspiration win and subsequent stardom, Tavatanakit replied: “It was overwhelming to the point where I didn’t know that it was overwhelming because I had never really experienced that!
“Now, looking back, I was like really overwhelmed by the attention I got because I’m not really used to having to give so much energy to a lot of people. But I feel like going through that, I’m learning a little bit more,” said the Bangkok native.
“The whole thing, how hard it is to have a tournament here and everyone being able to put it together, I just feel so grateful to be here. It’s not easy, I know that for a fact, like coming in through the immigration process and everything,” she added.
“It’s tough, and getting through all that, I’m just really excited to play.”
Tavatanakit tees off at 9:13am in the first round tomorrow (Thursday, April 29), alongside fellow Major winners Nasa Hataoka of Japan and Hannah Green of Australia. For the full tee-time list, click here
