Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn will partner with Solheim Cup icon Catriona Matthew in one of the headline fourballs at this week’s Aramco Team Series – Bangkok.
The hometown hero used her captain’s pick in last night’s pre-tournament draft to recruit the Scot, an 11-time Tour champion and Major-winner, but perhaps most revered for her back-to-back roles captaining Team Europe to Solheim Cup success.
Spanish Ladies European Tour rookie Paz Marfa Sans will complete the professional side of the team, which will be completed with the addition of an amateur golfer, before play gets underway at Thai Country Club tomorrow.
“Playing in my home country is very exciting,” said Jutanugarn, who will be making her second appearance in an Aramco Team Series event.
“I wanted to pick the legend Catriona as she’ll make me feel a lot more calm – maybe I can learn from her, as well. I’m really happy with my team.
“For us, I think it’s just a case of going out, enjoying it, and having fun. If we do, I’m sure we’ll be good!”
The Jutanugarn sisters Ariya (L) and Moriya (R) with fellow Thai star Patty Tavatanakit (middle)
Asked if her captain for the week, the world #50, was a player she respected, Matthew said, “Oh, absolutely! I’ve played a lot with Moriya on the LPGA over the years. I haven’t seen her in a wee while, so I’m delighted to be playing together and being able to catch up.”
Jutanugarn was one pick earlier in the draft than her younger sister, Ariya, who is also competing in the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok, an event added to the LET calendar for the first time this year.
Like her sister, Ariya too used her captain’s selection to recruit a Scot – Laura Beveridge. Anne-Charlotte Mora of France was the third addition to the team.
Asked about her captain’s pick, the two-time Major-winner said, “I’ve not known so much about Laura, but I had been looking at all the stats before picking her, so I’m pretty sure she’s going to help the team.
“Already we’re having so much fun, talking about what we’re going to eat today and where the good Thai food is! I’m pretty sure we’re going to be a good team.”
This week’s debut Bangkok leg will be the first of five US$1million Aramco Team Series tournaments on the LET calendar for 2022 – and the first with the three-day event’s new format.
Updated from last year’s inaugural Series, the teams will now compete over only 36 holes – the Thursday and Friday of the tournament – with $500,000 prizemoney being split between the lowest scoring fourballs.
Saturday’s final day of play will see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another $500,000, this time in individual earnings.
Charley Hull (L), Patty Tavatanakit (middle) and Kelly Whaley of the USA (R) during the ATS – Bangkok pre-tournament press conference
Big names set to compete with the likes of the Jutanugarn sisters include fellow Thai superstar Patty Tavatanakit, who selected Finland’s Noora Komulainen as her captain’s pick – and who returns home to compete ranked as the world #13.
England’s Charley Hull has a blistering Aramco Team Series record, with three top ten team finishes and a solo victory in last year’s New York event. She chose good friend and fellow English golfer Lauren Taylor as her teammate for the week’s fourball action.
Australia’s Whitney Hillier leaned on her mother’s Thai heritage to recruit Chonlada Chayanun, whose home course is this week’s host course, Thai Country Club.
The Aramco Team Series – Bangkok kicks off 2022’s run of ATS events and will be followed by four more US$1million tournaments in London, Sotogrande, New York and Jeddah.
For more information, visit www.aramcoteamseries.com
