Gulyanamitta hoping to end dry spell
Feb 07, 2012

	Russamee Gulyanamitta

Having already played in 20 tournaments on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT) since 2006, Thailand's seasoned women professional Russamee Gulyanamitta is still running dry of a win.

The 36-year-old who hails from Rayong - about 200km east of Bangkok - came close to victory in 2007 but lost out to current World No. 1 Yani Tseng in a playoff at the DLF Country Club in New Delhi.

Out of the 20 tournaments, Russy (as she is more affectionately known to the golf fraternity and 'Big Sister' to her fellow professionals in Thailand, had made 17 cuts and finished top 10, 10 times.

"I'm still in search of a win on the LAGT. I love to add this one trophy to my winning collections and what better way it is to win the home Open," Russy said, adding that her game is in good shape.

Boasting an athletic physique, Russy said she has not lost the desire to win tourmanents. "In fact I'm more hungrier now, not having won a title in recent years," she said.

Russy is aware that there are plently of new talents emerging from the Asian nations and this not not making it any easier for her to win titles. So the Thai lass who has the experience of playing on the LPGA is banking on her experience and knowledge of the Lakewood Country Club.

"I'm challenging myself to go for a win. A win will sort of rejuvenate my playing career and boost my confidence since I have not given up hope of going on a winning trail," said Russy.

Beginning tomorrow Russy is going to practice what she is preaching when she lines up at the tee box to beging her campaign in the three-round US$150,000 Thailand Ladies Open at the Lakewood Country Club.

"I've got that winning feel again and this is raising my adrenalin, so I'm going to give it my best shot. The field is very strong with the strong presence of Korean and Japanese players and also my fellow Thai professionals.

"I'm not being complacent, but if I can manage my game well, I believe winning here is not going to be a problem. So I hope to re-ignite my winning ways from here - not just in Thailand but in other international tournaments," she said.

Interestingly, in the draw released today, Russy will have another colourful character Jennifer Rosales of the Philippines in her group, the third player being Japan's Kaori Aoyama while two past champions - Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai (2011) and Onnaring Sattayabanphot (2010) together with Chinese Taipei's Tzu-Chi Lin form another interesting group.