Bangkok: The AIG Women's Open, the final women's major golf tournament of the year, boasts a prize pool of over 300 million baht, attracting top-tier talent from around the globe. Among the competitors, world No. 2 Atthaya Thitikul, also known as "Gino," is eagerly awaiting her opportunity to secure her first major championship without the burden of pressure.
According to Thai News Agency, Atthaya Thitikul has returned recharged to participate in the AIG Women's Open at the Royal Lytham and St Annes course in England, following a brief hiatus. The tournament, marking its 50th edition, offers a total prize pool of US$10 million (over 337 million baht) and is set to begin its first round on Thursday, July 30th. Joining Thitikul are six other Thai golfers, including notable names such as Ariya Jutanugarn and Pajaree Anunarukan. The field is packed with elite players, including world number one Nelly Korda from the USA and South Korea's Kim Hyo-joo, ranked third.
Thitikul, who previously clinched the Best Amateur Golfer award at this event in 2018 and 2019, expressed her enthusiasm for the tournament's challenges. "Having a two-week break from competing has been great because I haven't been back to Thailand since March. It's a good way to recharge and practice the areas in my game that I'm looking to improve," she stated. She emphasized the unique challenges posed by the course and the wind, which require patience and strategic planning. Thitikul remains confident but acknowledges that the outcome will depend on her performance during the tournament.
Meanwhile, world No. 3 Harun Yu is also vying for a significant accomplishment-a hat-trick of major titles in a single season. Having already secured victories in the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Evian Championship, Yu is determined to maintain her winning streak. She noted the importance of adjusting her mindset for the windy conditions typical of links courses and expressed hope for improved performance this week.
The competition also features last year's champion from Japan, the world number six, and Lauren Colin, ranked 17th from the United States. The event is scheduled to commence at 1:15 PM local time, with Nelly Korda, Harun Yu, and Lydia Ko, the 2024 champion from New Zealand, set to tee off at 8:42 AM local time.