Minnesota: Ten Thai female golfers, led by world number 2 Attaya Thitikul, are preparing to compete in the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, the third major golf tournament of the year, held at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, USA. This tournament, scheduled from June 25-28, 2026, boasts the highest prize money in women's golf history, with a total of $13 million USD and a champion's prize of $1.95 million USD.
According to Thai News Agency, the Thai contingent includes top golfers such as Papangkorn Dhavatanakij, Ariya Jutanugarn, Pajaree Anannarukan, Chanettee Wannasen, Apichaya Yubol, Jasmine Suwannapura, Pornanong Phetlump, Moriya Jutanugarn, and Suvichaya Winichaitham. These athletes are vying for glory in a field of 156 participants, all battling over 72 holes of stroke play. The tournament is organized by the PGA of America and the LPGA Tour, with Minjee Lee of Australia entering as the defending champion.
Attaya Thitikul, also known as "Gino," enters this competition with significant momentum, having finished in the top 10 in four of her nine tournaments this season and securing victories at the Honda LPGA Thailand and the Mizuho America Open. Her past performances in this major include a tie for 4th place last year, marking her best result. Meanwhile, Papangkorn Dhavatanakij, a past major winner at the 2021 ANA Inspiration, is set for her seventh appearance, with a notable tie for 2nd place this season at the Chevron Championship.
Former world number one Ariya Jutanugarn, a seasoned competitor with two major titles, is participating for the 13th time, having previously secured top 10 finishes in this event in 2016 and 2019. Pajaree Anannarukan, competing for the ninth time, aims to surpass her best result of a tie for 14th place achieved in 2019. Chanettee Wannasen, making her third appearance, is striving to replicate her impressive tie for second place finish from last year.
The Thai lineup also includes Apichaya Yubol, who has shown promise with recent strong finishes, and Jasmine Suwannapura, competing for the 14th time, with a history of making the cut in five instances. Pornanong Phetlump, whose best performance was a tie for 14th place in 2019, and Moriya Jutanugarn, with a consistent record of making the cut in all her appearances, add depth to the team. Suvichaya Winichaitham, a rookie pro, is looking to make an impact in her debut at this major tournament.
The tournament also features a host of world-class golfers and former Major champions, including world number one Nelly Korda of the United States, who has already secured victories in the first two Majors of the season. Other notable players include Jennifer Kupcho, Lilia Wu, and Lexi Thompson from the USA, along with a strong international presence from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, France, Sweden, and South Africa. With 12 former champions returning, including the likes of Minjee Lee and Nelly Korda, the competition promises to be intense.
This year's KPMG Women's PGA Championship is set to be a landmark event, not only for its record prize money but also for the caliber and diversity of talent it attracts, as players from around the globe gather to compete at Hazeltine National Golf Club.