2007 Thailand Ladies Open

After a week of action from the men professionals in the just concluded Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket , the air of golf festivities continues in Thailand this week - this time in the sprawling capital city - with the staging of the Thailand Ladies Open presented by Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The Thailand Ladies Open, organised by the Thailand Ladies Golf Association, is the third stop of the Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT) that offers a prize purse of US$100,000. All eyes will now be centered on Green Valley Golf Club. Over 110 players have confirmed participation for the H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Trophy.

Interestingly, this year's edition for the first time has attracted players from France, Vietnam, Australia and Finland.

Heading the casts is last year's Order-of-Merit winner Ji Eun Hee, a double winner in the Ladies Asian Golf Tour last season. Eun Hee who won the Malaysian Ladies Open and the LAGT-Macau Championship last year, will also be playing in her first season on the USLPGA this year.

Korea's Shin Ji Yai and Brazil's Maria Priscila Iida who recently represented their country in the Women's World Cup are also among the favourites to lift the silverware. Ji-Yai, who won the Orient China Ladies Open in Xiamen last November, is also the longest hitter on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour, averagin 270 yards off the tee.

Japan's Rie Shiraki, who last week captured the Guam Governor's Cup, is also riding on a new wave of form and is also among the lists of favourites. An extrovert character, Shiraki has the distinction of finishing top 15 in the five events on the LAGT calendar last season. Thailand's rising star Porani Chutichai leads a host of Thai professional players who are out to keep the trophy in Thailand.

However, American Libby Smith, who last month won the Hong Kong Ladies Masters at Discovery Bay, could again spoil the party of the Asian women. Smith, who is currently lying second in the LAGT Order-of-Merit, behind countrywoman Natalie Tucker, stayed on in Asia after the Hong Kong Ladies Masters and has been acclimatising by playing in the Philippines and Thailand.

For Chinese Taipei's Tseng Ya Ni it will be a sort of homecoming. She won her maiden professional title at Green Valley Country Club in the Queen Sirikit Cup two years ago. Tseng is obviously looking forward to a second win at Green Valley.

Meanwhile LAGT President Rae-Vadee T. Suwan described the Thailand Ladies Open presented by Tourism Authority of Thailand, as challenging. "It's certainly going to be very interesting. We are doing all our best to give our sponsors and fans a thrilling time by hosting this event," said Rae, who is also the Tournament Chairman.

She added that there would be a live telecast of the event on the final day to enable golf fans to catch the action on the tube.

Phornsiri Manoharn, Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor, said it was TAT's policy to introduce Thailand as a golfing destination for overseas golfers to visit and enjoy top-class facilities.

"In realising the significance that sports has for the tourism industry, TAT has become more involved by being the title sponsor for the Thailand Ladies Open," she said.

March 5,2007

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