Williams has no fear ahead of bout against Rodtang
Apr 08. 2021Danial Williams
ONE Super Series debutant “Mini T” Danial Williams is joining the world’s largest martial arts organization ready to face the biggest test of his young career.
Williams will take on Thai striking superstar Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon on the main card of “ONE on TNT I,” the first installment of a four-part event series which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore on Wed., April 7 (Thu., April 8 in Thailand on ONE Super App, ONE Championship Youtube, and AIS Play at 7.30 AM).
It’s a bout that will be available for a massive American audience, live on United States prime time television. Williams isn’t at all fazed by the challenge that lies before him, and counts Rodtang as any other fighter he’s fought in the ring.
“It’s absolutely huge, but I guess it just hasn’t hit me yet,” Williams told ONE Championship in a recent interview.
“I’m just going to keep my head down and focus on my training. I’m not going to buy into the whole thing and get overwhelmed about how crazy big [this fight] is. I’m just focusing on Rodtang. It’s just going to be me and him in the cage at the end of the day, anyway. He’s only human.”
Rodtang is one of the most exciting fighters in ONE Championship. The 23-year-old Thai fighter has remained unbeaten in ONE Super Series. He currently holds the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title, although the bout against Williams, which is at a catchweight of 61.5-kg, will be a non-title affair.
Williams knows exactly how he’s going to approach the fight, and says he’s coming in with a solid game plan.
“I can be a bit wild with the chin up, but I think being a bit jumpy and having different footwork brings a different game. I see a similar style [between us], but it’s a little bit different,” said Williams.
“I’ll want to fight in his face, but not be too crazy, and when we exchange, pick his gaps as well. So when he swings wildly, I’ll swing wildly back at him, but be a bit more careful. [Also, I’ll be] using fakes and a little more footwork because I don’t like fighting Thais the same way they fight, so I’m going to make a few tweaks and be a bit more unpredictable with my shots.”
If Williams were to defeat Rodtang, it would certainly be a surprising result, and the Australian fighter says he isn’t afraid to gun for the most shocking victory possible.
“I would like this [bout to end] with a knockout. It would be awesome to evade one of his shots and give one back and stop him. Of course, that would be the ultimate, ultimate thing,” said Williams.
“That’s something I’ve envisioned every day. That would be a cool outcome, but I don’t want to sound too cocky because I respect him a lot, and until we touch gloves, I won’t actually be able to feel his power. But I’m not scared. That’s the big thing. I’m not scared at all.”
In the main event of “ONE on TNT I,” reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes defends his world title against ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix / 12-time UFC World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
Also on the card, former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez takes on #2-ranked lightweight contender Iuri Lapicus, while reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon makes an appearance.
Pan plans to stick to sandwiches and sightseeing for another Masters high
Apr 07. 2021C.T. Pan ( Photo credit to Getty Images)
Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan plans to maintain his recipe for another successful Masters Tournament appearance this week.
When he made his debut in November, the 29-year-old made sure he enjoyed the full Augusta National experience which included sampling all the famous sandwiches, marveling at the magnificent sights around the venerable venue and most importantly, managing his own expectations.
The result was an impressive tied seventh finish – the best by a Chinese Taipei golfer in the tournament’s storied history – and Pan now plans to keep to the same drill in the year’s first major which starts on Thursday.
“Can’t wait to go back there for the food,” said Pan. “We had some wonderful fillet mignon steak for our dinner and I loved the pimento cheese sandwich and the egg sandwich. I think I tried all the sandwiches they had for us.
“Being a first timer (in November), I did not have much expectation and that mindset helped as I was able to enjoy myself more on the golf course. I was sightseeing quite a bit, enjoyed the views, and enjoyed the memories of being at the Masters which I grew up watching with my late father and brother. It was an unbelievable experience being there on the first tee for the first time. It was really cool for me.”
Pan fired rounds of 70, 66, 74 and 68 for a 10-under 278 total which secured a quick return to the prestigious tournament which stands out through a lifetime exemption afforded to the winner, who also receives a green jacket. It also proved to be an emotional week for Pan, whose late father had been instrumental in his golf career.
A recent top-3 finish at The Honda Classic, his first top-10 since November, has also put Pan in a good frame of mind ahead of this week’s showpiece, which he grew up watching in the wee hours of the mornings back home in Taipei.
“It is an amazing week. As a kid, the first major I watched on TV was the Masters which always meant more than the other majors. I remember all the holes, especially on the back nine. Now that I’ve been here and had such a great performance and a top-10 finish, it means a lot. It is a good confidence boost,” he said.
“Getting back … that’s the best reward as you play hard for four days and knowing I would be back in a few months, that was really special. As a kid, I dreamed of being there one day. I obviously wish my dad is still in this world to watch me. After I finished four rounds, my brother texted me as it was an emotional week for him too as we watched it growing up together. It was a special week for our family.”
The former world No. 1 amateur golfer won his lone PGA TOUR title, the RBC Heritage, the week after Tiger Woods’ Masters victory in 2019 and then had to wait 19 months to reap the ultimate reward for his career breakthrough in the U.S. With COVID-19 disrupting the sporting world last year, he finally took his Masters bow last November and it was well worth the wait. “It’s such an iconic event on the PGA TOUR. The was a lot of news coverage back home. It was a big achievement, the best performance by a Chinese Taipei player. Things were going crazy back home,” recalled Pan.
“The thing I’m looking forward to is the golf course, which is so special although it plays really hard. I did pretty well with my putting and part of the reason was that I hired a local caddie (Derrick Redd) and will use him again. Last year’s T7 was a big encouragement. I’ve set my objective for a top-20 for this year. I know there will be pressure.”
Korea’s Im believes his time will come at The Masters
Apr 07. 2021Sungjae Im (Photo credit to Getty Images)
Finishing joint runner-up in a dream Masters Tournament debut last November has fuelled Sungjae Im’s fire to one day don the famous green jacket in his bid to rewrite golf history.
The Korean rising star rose to the occasion at Augusta National during his first visit and briefly threatened eventual winner Dustin Johnson in the final round before settling for tied second place alongside Australian Cameron Smith.
The ultra-talented Im, the highest ranked Asian golfer on the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup points list and Official World Golf Ranking at 19th position, got to within one stroke of Johnson before the powerful American shifted into fifth gear and raced to a five-shot victory.
“Last year at the 5th hole, I was just one behind Dustin which made me think at that point ‘I could really win today’. Unfortunately, I finished runner-up but this was an incredible result for me in a major. With that performance, I think I’m certainly competitive enough to win major tournaments in the near future,” said the 23-year-old, whose performance eclipsed countryman K.J. Choi’s third place finish in the 2004 Masters as the best Asian result here.
Im enters the year’s first major in typically solid form. In nine stroke play events to date in 2021, he has two top-10s, four top-25s and have not missed a single cut on TOUR. He will no doubt ride on some good vibes from last year’s impressive showing, and with a little more experience behind his burgeoning golf career.
“The most memorable moment was that I could stay in the top-10, which really amazed me, and also playing with Dustin, who is the best player in the world. This is one event that I will remember the most and playing at Augusta National made me feel proud as I’ve always watched this tournament on TV when I was young,” said Im, who has one victory on the PGA TOUR.
“I played very well last year, and I hope to play the same this week. I hope I can make another top-10 or get near the top this week. Augusta National’s greens are so fast and they have big slopes and I need to set my strategy right to be in the best positions. Course management will be important,” he said.
To him, the Masters Tournament and its traditions set it apart the other major championships.
“The Masters is definitely the biggest among all four major events. I’m eager to compete for the Masters title and win the green jacket. It’s a dream for everyone. If we win it once, we get an exemption into the tournament for rest of our lives. This makes winning extra special here,” said Im.
With fans returning to the Masters this week after being barred on site last November due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Im is feeling a bit anxious ahead of his second appearance. “Players who played here with spectators have shared their experiences and some of them said they were quite nervous with spectators watching on the golf course (because of the added pressure). I think I would be slightly nervous too playing in front of crowds,” he said.
Asia’s challenge will also be carried by Im’s countryman Si Woo Kim, Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama and Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan, who enjoyed a tied seventh finish in his debut here in November.
Thai supercar champ Sandy back in cockpit to defend title
Apr 06. 2021Sandy Kraokaew Stuvik
By THE NATION
The first round will take place on April 23-25 at Chang International Circuit, in Buriram.
Thai-Norwegian racing driver Sandy Kraokaew Stuvik will compete in two series this year after bagging his second consecutive Thailand Super Series (TSS) GT3 driver’s title in 2020.
In 2021, Thai motorsport fans can look forward to seeing Sandy defend his TSS title while also driving the GT World Challenge Asia in the Audi R8 GT3 Evo.
Thailand Super Series is the largest and most professional racing series in Thailand, with GT3 being the premier category.
Sandy’s teammate in the B-Quik Absolute Racing team will be announced soon.
This season will consist of eight races in four rounds – three rounds at Chang International Circuit, in Buri Ram, and one round at the prestigious Bangsaen Grand Prix in Chonburi.
“I will do my best to add a third championship to my name,” said Sandy.
“The team has been working hard during the off-season, and I feel that we are readier than ever before. See you at round one!”
Sandy also plans to compete in the GT World Challenge Asia with the support of Audi Sport Customer Racing Asia, if organisers decide the series can take place safely.
Meanwhile, car e-commerce platform Carsome will become a title sponsor on the #1 B-Quik Absolute Racing Audi R8 GT3 Evo this season. The largest integrated car e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia is looking to expand in the Thai market.
“We are excited to join forces with the reigning champion of the Thailand Super Series, Sandy Stuvik, a homegrown talent in Thailand who shares the same aspirations of being the best. We look forward to a fruitful partnership through this unison of champions and we wish Sandy the best in both series this year,” said Carsome co-founder and group CEO, Eric Cheng.
Apr 06. 2021Si Woo Kim (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
Korea’s golf star Si Woo Kim cannot wait to hear the roars return at the Masters Tournament this week. And he hopes to be one of the reasons for the noise.
With a limited number of fans, or patrons as they are better known at Augusta National Golf Club, allowed on site to watch the year’s first major, Kim hopes to savour in the atmosphere and launch a title challenge for the Green Jacket awarded to the champion.
“We have played without fans over the last few months. When I hit good shots and made good putts, I couldn’t get motivated and get my energy up because I didn’t hear any loud cheering. But now, with some fans coming back, we get a lot more cheers. I think it gives me added motivation and energy. I think it’s really good for me. I hope many fans will come and watch good shots and have a good time with us,” said Kim.
The first time he stepped into Augusta National in 2017, Kim felt like he was in a dream.
“When I was young, I watched the Masters a lot on TV. I saw players hit great shots on a great course, and I know all the famous holes. When I came here at first, I thought the course condition was way better than I imagined. It was almost flawless, it was very impressive. I felt like I am in a dream,” he recalled.
His debut though proved to be short-lived as rounds of 75 and 81 saw him make an early exit. However, the rising star proved to be a quick learner as he soon mastered the intricacies and nuances of Augusta National, and in subsequent visits, he has finished T24, T21 and T34, results which have only reinforced his belief that he can compete for the Masters title.
“I think it’s very meaningful to participate in the Masters. The first time I played, I was so nervous that I didn’t play as how I wanted to, but after that, I had a little more experience and I think I could play well and this course fits me. Somehow, I have played better here than in the other majors,” said Kim, who currently ranks 23rd on the FedExCup points list.
“The Masters is a big competition and it’s an honour to participate in it. It is my dream to play with best players on a best golf course. I never thought we would play the Masters twice in one season. When I played last November (the Masters was rescheduled last year due to COVID-19), I couldn’t qualify for the next one. I was a little worried but I’m really happy to be able to play again after winning at The American Express in January,” he said.
Still only 25, Kim is already a three-time PGA TOUR winner, ranked only behind eight-time winner K.J. Choi as the Korean golfer with most wins on TOUR. He earned his breakthrough at the 2016 Wyndham Championship and nine months later became the youngest winner of THE PLAYERS Championship, the TOUR’s flagship tournament. He ended a three-year winless drought in January, claiming an impressive win at The American Express.
As THE PLAYERS Championship boasts the strongest field of any golf tournament, Kim has shown he has the bit in between his teeth to withstand the pressures of challenging for a first major victory. To date, Y.E. Yang remains as Asia’s lone major champion when he triumphed in the 2009 PGA Championship while the best Masters finish was achieved by Sungjae Im, who came in joint runner-up five months ago.
Kim hopes to get into the Masters mix comes Sunday afternoon. “Competing with good players is the reason why I play golf. There is pressure and excitement. It will be good to compete well with other talented players,” he said.
With close friend Im also enjoying success on the PGA TOUR, Kim believes their friendship has become a motivating factor for him to push the limit in his own game. “Sungjae has been so good and hot for two to three years now. I’m very happy and proud of him. Looking at the Korean players on the leaderboard each time, I feel proud more than ever before, and it makes me want to work hard too. I think it’s an opportunity for Korean players to motivate each other,” said Kim.
“The first time we met was when I was 15 in a junior golf tournament. He was very calm and good at golf even though he was young. I was already impressed by Sungjae’s game at that time. Then he won at The Honda Classic (in 2020) and became one of the best players on TOUR now. Seeing that gives me lots of motivation and makes me want to work even harder.”
Rodtang eyes on quick fight with Williams at ‘ONE on TNT I’
Apr 06. 2021
Thai striking sensation Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon wants to impress in his next contest. The reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion will be performing for the first time in front of a live US prime time audience, and the 23-year-old superstar plans on showcasing the skills that have endeared him to millions of martial arts fans in Asia.
Rodtang is set to face former WMC Muay Thai World Champion “Mini T” Danial Williams in a catchweight Muay Thai, non-World Title affair. The bout is scheduled for “ONE on TNT I,” the first of a four-part event series that will broadcast Wed., April 7 (Thu., April 8 in Thailand at 7.30 AM), live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.
“The Iron Man” has watched enough tape on Williams to know what he’s about, and has prepared himself accordingly for the challenge that lies ahead.
“The fight I watched is from around three years ago, so it is difficult to know how he has developed since then. But I can say, from what I have seen, is that he’s good, brave, and has strong weapons,” Rodtang told ONE Championship.
“He has a similar style – he likes going forward, dares to take [a shot], and exchanges. His strengths are his low kicks and punches. I think I will change my style a little bit, but for sure, I will never go backward. I have to be more cautious and not play around.”
“ONE on TNT I” features a main event showdown between ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix, and 12-time UFC World Champion Demetrious Johnson and reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes.
Also on the card is the return of former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez who faces #2-ranked lightweight contender Iuri Lapicus in the co-main event.
Rodtang has had an incredible run in ONE Super Series so far, defeating all of the opponents he’s faced in the Circle, in emphatic fashion. This time, however, he wants to win over American fans with his explosive style.
“Winning ten fights and being undefeated in ONE Championship is good. I would like to have that and maintain [my undefeated streak] as long as possible,” said Rodtang.
“My goal is staying on top and staying in the fans’ hearts. I give them what they want to watch – something exciting, aggressive, and fun.”
Watch ONE on TNT 1 on Thursday 8 April on ONE Championship Youtube, ONE Super App and AIS Play at 7.30 AM.
Apr 05. 2021Paphangkorn “Patty” Tavatanakit (Photo credit to LPGA)
Thailand celebrated its second LPGA Major champion in history when Paphangkorn “Patty” Tavatanakit won the US$3.1-million ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club in California on Sunday.
(Photo credit to LPGA)
The 21-year-old Thai carded an unblemished final-round 68 for a total 18-under-par 270 to beat the inspired Lydia Ko of New Zealand by two stokes for her first career win.
Patty became the second Thai to triumph in a Major event after Ariya Jutanugarn at the Women’s British Open in 2016.
She is also the fourth Thai winner on the LPGA. Ariya was the first when she won the Yokohama Ture LPGA Classic in 2016 while her elder sister Moriya emerged winner in the Hugel-JTBC LA Open two years later. Thidapa “Jasmine” Suwannapura was the third Thai victory, at the 2018 Marathorn Classic.
ANA INSPIRATION LEADERBOARD
Player
To Par
Score
1
Patty Tavatanakit
-18
66-69-67-68—270
2
Lydia Ko
-16
70-69-71-62—272
T3
Sei Young Kim
-11
71-71-68-66—277
T3
Nelly Korda
-11
71-70-70-66—277
T3
Nanna Koerstz Madsen
-11
72-68-71-66—277
T3
Shanshan Feng
-11
67-69-72-69—277
“It’s a dream come true,” said Patty or Paphangkorn.
Two years after earning low-amateur honors at Mission Hills Country Club, 2020/21 LPGA Tour rookie Patty became a major champion at the ANA Inspiration. She became just the second player to win the major championship in her rookie season, joining Juli Inkster in 1984.
“It’s amazing I’m still calm, there is some calmness in me. I don’t know why. But like I said, I just wanted it to be done since this morning; didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. But I meditated twice this morning. Just be patient. I knew it was going to be hard out here and I got to be really strong mentally,” said Tavatanakit, who became the season’s first Rolex First-Time Winner. “So it feels great to be a major champion. It still hasn’t really sunk in yet the fact that I’m like, I just turned 21 six months ago and now I’m a major champion in my rookie year. Just crazy.”
Tavatanakit started the day strong with an eagle on No. 2, chipping in from off the green. A birdie on the eighth had her making the turn at -17, and a bogey-free effort in her final nine holes, highlighted by a birdie on No. 12, was enough for to pull out the two-stroke victory. The three-time Symetra Tour winner became the 19th player to earn her first major title at the ANA Inspiration, a moment not lost by the young Thai native as she completed her round on the island green.
“I was happy and excited and I got a little emotional, but I just kept telling myself, It’s not over yet. You still have to try your best to make the putt or to two-putt that,” said Tavatanakit, who was greeted by a slew of her fellow Thai players, spraying her with champagne. “I think Ryan, my caddie, saw me got a little bit emotional and he said, Come on. Let’s focus on the last one, which I did. I feel like I just pulled myself out of the emotional state and back to where I needed to be.”
Three groupings ahead, the 2016 ANA Inspiration champion Lydia Ko was firing on all cylinders with a nothing-to-lose attitude. Starting the day eight strokes back, Ko carded an eagle and five birdies to break the nine-hole ANA scoring record with a 29 and was inching closer to Tavatanakit’s lead. The 29 also tied the lowest nine-hole score of any major championship, last recorded by Sei Young Kim in the second round of her win at the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Ko ended the day posting a 62 to finish at -16, tying Lorena Ochoa in 2006 for the lowest 18-hole score at the ANA.
“To me going into today I didn’t want to play conservatively. I just wanted to go out there and play as aggressively but as smart as I can, and I think to some point when you’re so far behind, all you know is that you need to make as many birdies as you can. It was not a bad position to be in,” said Ko. “Sean [Foley] gave me a little pep talk on his way to the Masters while I was warming up today, and yeah, this place has so many great memories, me jumping into Poppie’s Pond with my family and team and having my second major championship win here, and even though we don’t technically have friends here, the members were out watching us, and they’ve always supported me and all of us and they love seeing the LPGA here.”
Four players finished in a tie for third at -11: Sei Young Kim, Nelly Korda, Nanna Koerstz Maden and Shanshan Feng. Kim, Korda and Koerstz Madsen all posted 6-under 66s, with Feng pulling together a bogey-free 69 with three birdies on Nos. 11, 13 and 16.
“Feeling very good. I mean, I still missed like some of the putts, but I was watching the groups in front and behind, and looks like the greens are just kind of tough,” said Feng, who was competing in her first event since December 2019. “I mean, so finally I actually got a couple birdies out from the rough, from the fairway, so I was very happy about that.”
2019 ANA Inspiration champion Jin Young Ko finished in a tie for seventh with 2013 champion Inbee Park and LPGA Tour winner Ally Ewing at -10, with Megan Khang, Moriya Jutanugarn and defending champion Mirim Lee ending in a tie for 10th at -9.
(Photo credit to LPGA)
PATTY TAVATANAKIT TAKES LEAD IN ROLEX ANNIKA MAJOR AWARD STANDINGS
Patty Tavatanakit has taken the early lead in the 2021 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award standings following her two-stroke win at the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage, California. Tavatanakit, a 2020/21 LPGA Tour rookie, is the first rookie to win the ANA Inspiration since Juli Inkster in 1984, and is the 14th player in Tour history to win a major title as a rookie. She is 2021’s first Rolex First-Time Winner and the sixth player to become a Rolex First-Time Winner at the ANA Inspiration.
Tavatanakit is the second UCLA Bruin to win a major championship, joining Mo Martin (2014 AIG Women’s Open). She is the second major winner from Thailand, joining Ariya Jutanugarn (2016 AIG Women’s Open, 2018 U.S. Women’s Open)
The Rolex ANNIKA Major Award recognizes the player who, during a current LPGA Tour season, has the most outstanding record in all five major championships. Points will be awarded at all five major championships to competitors who finish among the top-10 and ties. To take home the award, a player must also win at least one of the five majors.
The winner of the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award will be honored at the Rolex LPGA Awards at the CME Group Tour Championship, the culmination what is sure to be an exciting 2021 major season.
The leaderboard through the 2021 ANA Inspiration is as follows:
RANK
NAME
POINTS
MAJOR WINS
1
Patty Tavatanakit
60
1
2
Lydia Ko
24
0
T3
Sei Young Kim
18
0
T3
Nelly Korda
18
0
T3
Nanna Koerstz Madsen
18
0
T3
Shanshan Feng
18
0
LYDIA KO MAKES FINAL-ROUND CHARGE AT SEASON’S FIRST MAJOR
Two-time major champion Lydia Ko made a Sunday run for the ages on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club. The 2016 ANA Inspiration winner turned in a masterful bogey-free, 10-under 62, matching the 18-hole major championship scoring record set by Lorena Ochoa in 2006.
Ko mentioned after the final round that she would not have been able to put together such a historic performance without some words from her swing coach Sean Foley.
“Sean gave me a little pep talk on his way to the Masters while I was warming up today,” Ko said after her runner-up result, her second straight top-10 finish at the ANA Inspiration. “I was chipping, and my phone rang. He always goes, ‘What up, Lyds?’ That’s how he starts pretty much every conversation, and he said however many shots back I am is never too far away. He told me to go out there, play my own game and I said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to have fun and see where it takes me.’ He said all week to make sure and play with 100 percent conviction. I was able to do that the best today.”
Her front-nine 29 this afternoon also set the ANA Inspiration nine-hole scoring record and matched the mark for nine holes at a major championship, which was most recently recorded by Sei Young Kim in the second round of the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
With three top-10s in four starts so far this season, including a pair of runner-up finishes, Ko said she does not want people to think she is back but rather, she is right where she is supposed to be. And it all ties together on this Easter Sunday.
“I was actually thinking in my head, ‘I wonder if on the [Golf Channel] coverage they are going to be like, oh, Lydia Ko is back,” the 15-time LPGA Tour champion said. “I hope it’s not the sense that I’m back to a position where I was or where I could be. I just want to be the best version of myself right now.
“I’ve had so many different experiences, ups and downs since I was World No. 1, to this point and I think at the end of the day I’m not going to be the same person anymore. I think everything happens for a reason and I am in this position for a reason. All I can do is keep working hard and see where it takes me.
“This is another Sean thing. He said, ‘We’re always in the position or place that we are meant to be at that time.’ He said just because I win an event or miss the cut, that doesn’t make me a better or worse human being, and I think that kind of strips everything back. All day I had in mind that God has a plan for all of us. I just have to believe that, have faith and go on my journey. I might not know what that journey is, but I feel like it’s all laid out. All I can do is try my best at that exact moment.”
EUBANKS: THE ARRIVAL OF GOLF’S NEXT SUPERSTAR
Every win is hard. And first wins as a rookie can be like climbing Everest. But making the ANA Inspiration your first win as a rookie is, well, historic. No rookie in the 50-year history of the event had ever made the ANA Inspiration her first win. Juli Inkster won as a rookie way back in 1984 but she came into Mission Hills having already won on the LPGA Tour.
Of all the impressive accomplishments Patty Tavatanakit achieved with her two-shot victory in the season’s first major – coming within a shot of Dottie Pepper’s all-time scoring record, sleeping on a lead every night, leading the field in driving distance by an eye-popping margin, and holding off one of the most impressive final-round charges in major championship history, a 62 by Lydia Ko – Patty making this championship her maiden win as a rookie might be the best. Annika didn’t do it. Lorena couldn’t pull it off. Inbee didn’t get it done. Pepper, Inkster, Judy Rankin, Patty Sheehan, Betsy King, they all won in the desert. But only Patty Tavatanakit made it her first victory as a rookie.
“Amazing,” the winner said, still dripping from her plunge into Poppie’s Pond after a closing 68. “It makes me feel accomplished. You know, coming into this year I didn’t really set any goals because I knew how tough (golf in general) was last year. I just wanted to come out and learn to be a better player.
“My dad kind of told me that if anything, you should set a goal of being inside the top 100 on the Rolex Rankings and top 60 on the CME (points list). But it’s been kind of my goal at the back of my mind, I really wanted to win. I told Grant (Waite) my coach about it. But I didn’t expect to win here.”
That sort of honesty makes you love Patty T. even more. But then she spoke about the texts she sent back and forth with on Easter Sunday with her coaches, Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott of Vision 54.
Grabbing her phone, she read the messages.
“’Reality check,’” she said, reading what Nilsson and Marriott had sent her. “’You don’t know if you’re going to win or not today. You can play good and not win or you can play so-so and still win. You do want to make yourself proud by taking the best actions possible to manage yourself and your game plan. That was huge.’
“I took that really seriously. Just focus on what is 100% under your control, because the outcome is – you can’t control it.”
She hit 11 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens, with 30 putts
Her 270 is the second-lowest 72-hole score at her LPGA Tour career, behind only the 268 she shot at the 2019 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic
Her 18-under 270 is one off the ANA Inspiration 72-hole scoring record of 19-under 269, set by Dottie Pepper in 1999
Tavatanakit is a 2020/2021 LPGA Tour rookie; her career-best finish is a tie for fifth at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (as an amateur) and at the 2021 Gainbridge LPGA
This is Tavatanakit’s fourth event of the 2021 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is a tie for fifth at the Gainbridge LPGA
This is Tavatanakit’s fourth appearance in the ANA Inspiration; her best finish is a tie for 26th in 2019 as an amateur
Tavatanakit is the first rookie to win the ANA Inspiration since Juli Inkster in 1984
She becomes the fourth wire-to-wire winner (no ties) and the first since Karrie Webb
Tavatanakit is the 14th different player in Tour history to win a major championship title as a rookie
She becomes the first Rolex First-Time Winner of the 2021 season and is the sixth player to become a Rolex First-Time Winner at the ANA Inspiration
Tavatanakit is the 19th player to earn her first major title at the ANA Inspiration
She becomes the second UCLA Bruin to ever win a major championship, joining Mo Martin (2014 AIG Women’s Open)
Named the 2019 Gaelle Truet Rookie of the Year on the Symetra Tour after a season where she took three victories
She is now eligible for the 2021 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award
Quartararo carves his way to victory as Zarco and Martin duel to the line
Apr 05. 2021
The first ever French 1-2 in the premier class, a rookie podium for Martin and a whole host of headlines: this was the Doha dogfight
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) put in a stunner at the TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha, making 2021 a clean sweep for Yamaha so far and heading up the first ever French 1-2 in the premier class as he pulled clear of the chasing pack at the perfect time. Compatriot Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) took second as he duelled rookie teammate and polesitter Jorge Martin to the line, the Frenchman making history for his nation and waves in the standings as he takes over the Championship lead. Martin, meanwhile, makes his own waves as the rookie led much of the race from a spectacular start, coming home third for his first premier class podium only second time out. Behind the three, there was plenty of drama too… and it was the closest top 15 in history!
Martin kept his nerve off the line and shot off to lead around Turn 1, the Spaniard unaware that he’d actually be staying there for the majority of the race as his incredible Sunday began as it meant to go on. Behind him, Zarco slotted into second but Qatar GP winner Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) went backwards, and Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) propelled himself from P12 to P4 in an absolutely stunning start. Both Suzukis got away very well too, as did third place Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) but it wasn’t a good start for the factory Ducati Lenovo Team riders or Quartararo. Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia even found themselves in the lower ends of the top 10…
Martin held his nerve at the front though and a MotoGP™ freight train followed him over the line as Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) got the better of Oliveira to sit behind the leading Pramac duo. World Champion Joan Mir on the second Team Suzuki Ecstar machine then chucked it up the inside of Quartararo at Turn 6 as the riders got very close for comfort in the opening exchanges, with Viñales, Quartararo, Miller and Bagnaia scrapping for 7th with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), and Rins hounding Zarco further forward.
The number 42 and Zarco kept interchanging P2, and just when Rins thought he’d got the job done, the Ducati blasted back by on the straight. Next up to try and carve through was Bagnaia as the Italian moved his way up into P5, soaring past Mir on the straight, with Miller soon following his teammate through by doing the exact same thing: wringing the neck of his GP21 on the front straight as Aleix Espargaro slipped to P7.
Approaching half race distance, Martin was still leading, and looking as cool, calm and collected as ever. Just behind him though, tensions were starting to reach boiling point in the heat of the desert. Turn 10 saw Mir make a close move on Miller, contact made between the two, and the Ducati was wide. Rins, after a front end scare at Turn 9, then had another moment at the final corner before another flash between Miller and Mir grabbed the spotlight back. Coming onto the front straight, the two clashed – and plummeted as they lost drive. The incident was investigated, but no action taken.
But Martin rolled on, and by now Quartararo was up to P4 behind the rookie in the lead, Zarco and Bagnaia. Rins almost found a way past the number 20 on Lap 15 but it wasn’t to be and with seven to go, it was still impossible to call. Miller was P6 with Viñales P7, Mir was trying to find a way past eighth place Aleix Espargaro and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), Binder and Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) were gaining.
With seven to go, Quartararo cut past Bagnaia at Turn 15 but the Italian bit straight back on the straight. At Turn 1 it came undone, however, as the Ducati headed well wide and dropped from third to seenth – as Pol Espargaro also overcooked it and sailed into the run off. Both were able to slot back in, and at least kept in touch as just nine seconds covered the top 18.
The final five laps dawned and it remained the rookie steadfast in the lead, with Zarco on his tail. Just behind, Miller picked up Quartararo, but the Frenchman cut back to hold onto a vital third as the time to push was nigh. Viñales knew that too, slicing past Rins for fifth, but it was the number 20 Yamaha making up more ground this time around as Quartararo struck for second and dispatched Zarco, then soon past Martin and into the lead.
The course of anyone vs Ducati down the main straight never did run smooth, however, and Martin sailed back past. The answer was always going to come quick though and Quartararo hit back at Turn 3, into the lead and with a little more time to try and break clear of the Borgo Panigale grunt. The lead was soon half a second, and Viñales was stuck duelling Rins as his teammate got the hammer down.
As the last lap dawned, Quartararo’s lead was 0.7 seconds and it was El Diablo’s to lose, with Martin leading Zarco in the fight to complete the podium. Viñales ran wide at Turn 1, allowing Rins to slide on through in the battle for P4 too, so it looked like two Frenchmen and a rookie on the podium – but in what order?
Quartararo kept it pitch perfect to hammer round Losail for the last time in 2021, pulling out a few more tenths to cross the line for his first factory Yamaha win by a second and a half. Behind him, it was war at Pramac, but a clean war. Martin held it onto the last lap but Zarco struck at Turn 15, muscling past and making it stick. The number 89 flashed out to have a look at the final corner, but the rookie thought against it and it went down to the drag to the line – decided by just 0.043. Zarco takes it and the Championship lead, and Martin is forced to settle for third, if delight at an incredible first premier class podium can be called settling.
In the battle for fourth, Rins held on as he and Viñales tussled it out, the Spaniards separated by just 0.022 seconds at the flag. Bagnaia was a further half a second behind the Spanish duel, the Italian taking P6 after looking to threaten a little more earlier in the race. Mir eventually came home in P7 after a heated race, the reigning Champion losing out after the incident with Miller.
Binder cemented a brilliant P8 for himself and KTM as the South African stalked his way up to the Austrian factory’s best result at Losail by some margin. Miller took a tougher P9 for the second race in a row at Losail. The Aussie also said he was suffering arm pump and that’s first on his post-Qatar agenda. Aleix Espargaro completes the top ten, which isn’t where he started but it’s still closer than Aprilia have been before to the front after another impressive race.
Bastianini recovered from a more difficult qualifying to finish just 5.550 seconds adrift of the win in P11 in another memorable day from the reigning Moto2™ World Champion. He beat compatriot Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) by two tenths. Pol Espargaro, after his Turn 1 excursion, took P13 ahead of HRC test rider Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda Team). Oliveira slipped down the order to pick up the last point after his stunning start.
And so, history is made. 8.928 second is the gap between winner Quartararo and 15th place Oliveira in the closest top 15 finish we’ve ever seen, with Doha delivering a stunner under the floodlights. Zarco heads to Europe with 40 points at the top of the standings, with Quartararo and Viñales on 36 points apiece but classified in that order. What will Portimao bring? We don’t have to wait long to find out!
MotoGP™ podium 1 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 42:23.997 2 Johann Zarco* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – +1.457 3 Jorge Martin* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – +1.500 *Independent Team rider MotoGP™ podium L-R: Zarco, Quartararo and Martin
Fabio Quartararo: “I’ve not won a lot of races but this one was such a special win. I came from eighth or seventh, and I saw the pace and track were totally different from FP4 and Warm Up and I decided to really keep the tyre for the end. Actually, when I saw Maverick coming I thought ‘ok now is the moment to push and start to overtake’. It’s such an amazing moment for me, it’s a dream. I always dreamed of winning in Qatar, unfortunately it was not the first but the second! Thanks to everyone who believed in me, I’ve worked a lot in this preseason to achieve this goal and the media always tell me it’s extra pressure to take the place of Valentino! I want to thank my family, Yamaha, my friends, and I’ll enjoy this moment with a nice McDonalds tonight!” That winning feeling! Quartararo took his first win outside Spain Zarco took another podium and now leads the standings Martin led much of his second MotoGP™ race and took his first rostrum as a reward The first ever French 1-2 in the premier class!
To the wire: Lowes fends off Gardner in a tense Moto2™ take two The Brit and the Aussie were at it again, but this time it went to the wire – and it’s Raul Fernandez who completed the podium
Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) leaves Losail with a clean sweep after his second victory in as many weekends, the Brit impressing once again to become the first British rider to win the opening two races of an intermediate class campaign since Mike Hailwood did it in 1966. Quite a stat, but the sailing wasn’t perfectly smooth as Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was his key challenger once again, this time around even closer than the first. The Aussie pushed the number 22 to the wire, and just lost out by two tenths after hanging back from being too optimistic at the final corner despite temptation. In third, rookie sensation Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) turned his increasing experience into his first Moto2™ podium after another impressive ride.
Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) took the holeshot after some shuffling off the line, with Lowes in second and Gardner third. Raul Fernandez was a little wide and had to settle for fourth, but the quartet in the lead immediately started to haul Kalex and make a gap back to the chasing pack led by Aron Canet (Solunion Aspar Team).
Heading onto Lap 4, the lead changed. Lowes tucked in behind Bezzecchi on the straight and made a Turn 1 move stick, and the Brit put the pedal to the metal to move half a second clear. But Gardner, seeing Lowes getting into his groove, started making moves too and just about scraped past Fernandez after losing out to his teammate.
Bezzecchi soon went from P2 to P4 as both Red Bull KTM Ajos drafted the Italian and set their sights on Lowes, who wasn’t pulling any further clear. Soon enough, Gardner was hounding the Brit, and Raul Fernandez and Bezzecchi were just waiting in the wings…
By Lap 13, Lowes was asking questions of Gardner, although Raul Fernandez was still sticking with the two elder Moto2™ statesmen. Bezzecchi was losing touch though, the Italian 1.5 seconds back from Raul Fernandez. With six to go, it looked like it was Lowes vs Red Bull KTM Ajo for victory under the lights.
The fastest lap of the race, a 1:59.131, was then set by Gardner as the race entered the final five laps. 0.7s split the trio, of which only 0.2s sat between Lowes and Gardner. The Qatar race winner looked to have the edge in the opening half of the lap, the Qatar GP runner-up looked quicker in the latter. But there was still no change though with three laps to go as a trio of 1:59.1s for Gardner still wasn’t enough. Raul Fernandez was clinging on, but the Spaniard was 0.7s away from his teammate’s tailpipes as the leaders swept over the line.
Lowes responded to Gardner’s pressure, but the Australian always seemed to find an answer in return. Heading into the latter half of the last lap, it was now or never and Gardner was right up behind Lowes. Coming out of Turn 14, they were closer than ever. The number 87 looked tempted as he looked down the inside, but no move came there or just after and it was down to the final corner and drag to the line. Lowes braked late into Turn 16, Gardner tried to get on the gas early but the number 22 got the power down. The Brit took the chequered flag 0.190s ahead after a classic game of chess, and both riders set their best laps on the last lap… Gardner’s the fastest of the race.
Raul Fernandez lost touch in the end but it was nevertheless a phenomenal ride from the rookie to claim his maiden Moto2™ podium, turning promise last weekend to an even bigger delivery of results this time out. Bezzecchi eventually had a lonely ride home to P4 and a podium evades one of the pre-season favourites, but the Italian has never loved Doha.
Behind that leading quartet, rookie Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) put in a stunner as he shot up the timesheets second time out in Moto2™. Battling with the best of them, the Japanese rider just beat Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) to fifth place and will now have his sights set on even more in Portimao. Augusto Fernandez, after a tougher start to the year, will also be happier with a top six.
Yet another rookie in the form of Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) picked up a second consecutive point-scoring ride, taking an impressive P7. Stefano Manzi (Flexbox HP40) was just 0.029s behind his fellow VR46 Academy member in P8, with Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) picking up a P9 from P19 on the grid. He beats 10th place Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) by six tenths as Diggia faded after an initial charge.
Rookie Tony Arbolino (Liqui Moly Intact GP) was 11th for his first Moto2™ points, and the Italian led Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team), Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up), Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing Team) and reigning Moto3™ World Champion Albert Arenas (Solunion Aspar Team) over the line as they completed the points.
Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and Aron Canet crashed out on their own, with Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) crashing out together at the final corner. Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) also crashed out from the battle behind the top four.
So it’s a maximum of 50 points for Lowes at Losail, the perfect start to 2021. But Gardner is just 10 points behind him in the standings after two P2 and next, we’re heading for Portimao – scene of Gardner’s first Grand Prix victory in 2020…
Moto2™ podium: 1 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – 39:52.702 2 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +0.190 3 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +3.371 Moto2™ podium L-R: Gardner, Lowes and Fernandez
Sam Lowes: “It was nice, after the crash in Warm Up, again… the pace was great, the first couple of laps when I was behind it felt really easy in Sector 3 to follow because of the wind, it was easy to stay behind but when I got to the front it was hard to pull away because of the wind. I just tried to stay consistent and save a bit of tyre for the end of the race. The last 3 or 4 laps I pushed and and my pace was real fast, I think Remy got the best lap on the last lap but I got it first and him by trying to beat me! Overall I’m very happy, we’ve done a great job these weeks in Qatar, everyone caught up in the second weekend, which is normal. They’re very talented these guys so when you have a margin after a few weeks it gets smaller and smaller. But mentally for me it was a great race to lead like that and I can go to Portimao with good feeling.”
Pitlane to top step: Pedro Acosta has arrived A podium on debut is impressive. A win from pitlane second time out? That’s a Moto3™ first, and an imperious way to announce your credentials… From pitlane to the top step had never been done before in Moto3™, but it has now. A stunning ride from rookie – yes, rookie – Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) saw the Spaniard put in the work from pitlane reeling in the freight train, fight his way through it and then pull the pin on the final two laps to just escape the clutches of Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and take his first ever win in imperious style. In the wake of the breakaway, Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3) won the war for third as the Italian got back on the box for the first time since his win at Jerez in 2019.
Initially it was Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) off out front, but Binder struck quick to take the lead on Lap 1, somewhere the South African is becoming more and more comfortable. It was a huge freight train, however, with Acosta 10 seconds off the lead as the seven riders in pitlane got out on track and the melee only just beginning. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) led next, with Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) getting in the mix alongside Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team), teammate Filip Salač and Qatar GP winner Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
The first drama then hit for John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) not long after as the Scot got contact from rookie Izan Guevara (GASGAS Gaviota Aspar Team), but he got back into the freight train although outside the points.
On Acosta watch, the Spaniard was doing the majority of the legwork to catch the leaders, followed by fellow pitlane starters Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Gaviota Aspar Team) and Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) as the three took huge chunks out of the gap in between themselves and the huge group at the front. It was clear they’d make it, but when?
The answer was: seven laps to go. Acosta arrived and immediately began to conquer too, making short work of the first few riders as he sliced his way into the top ten. And from there, he only pushed forward. By three to go, he’d cracked the top five, and over the line to start the last lap the number 37 had muscled his way into the lead. Could he hold it? He could.
Pulling the pin and pushing to the limit, the rookie sensation kept his head as the Jaws music intensified from Binder; the South African gaining and gaining round that final lap. Over the line there was almost nothing it in, but history was made: the first ever Moto3™ winner from pitlane. If last week’s debut podium was impressive, the word for this week’s debut win is a few miles further into superlatives.
For Binder, second is a solid results as he retains his 100% podium record this season, the South African looking unflappable and like a serious contender. Behind him, Antonelli fought through on the final lap too, going from sixth to third as he pipped Migno, Toba and Izan Guevara.
There was then a small gap back behind the rookie number 28, with some serious drama ricocheting for key frontrunners: Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) got it all wrong at Turn 1 and hit Binder, although the South African escaped, but Alcoba’s optimistic move then saw him swipe out McPhee on the way to the gravel. Riders ok, moods very much not and the ensuing scuffle earning both pitlane start and time penalties for Portugal, as well as a fine each.
Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) got some redemption after a difficult qualifying as he took seventh at the head of the next group, the Japanese rider impressing despite what was deemed a racing incident with Salač that saw the Czech rider crash out. Ryusei Yamanaka (CarXpert PrüstelGP) took eighth and was only hundredths off Sasaki, losing out to his compatriot at the line but taking his best GP finish by some margin. Almost equally close came the man in ninth, Masia, after some drama saw the Spaniard tangle with Rodrigo and both get sent wide.
A tenth behind Masia came Fenati as the veteran turned pitlane into a top ten, just getting the better of another solid performance from Jason Dupasquier (CarXpert PrüstelGP). Tatsuki Suzuki got pushed down to P12 in the end, wheading another group. Rodrigo was only a single thousandth back in P13, with Maximilian Kofler (CIP Green Power) and Yuki Kunii (Honda Team Asia) completing the points by tiny margins too.
That’s a wrap on the lightweight class at Losail. A dramatic, tumultuous rollercoaster for the majority, it was another incredible show and there’s one man in the spotlight as we head for Portugal: Pedro Acosta. And remember… now we’re heading to tracks he knows…
Moto3™ podium 1 Pedro Acosta – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM – 38:22.430 2 Darryn Binder – Petronas Sprinta Racing – Honda – +0.039 3 Niccolo Antonelli – Avtintia Esponsorama Moto3 – KTM – +0.482 Moto3™ podium L-R: Binder, Acosta and Antonelli
Pedro Acosta: “I don’t know how I did it! When you work with the best guys, you can do this. The work is easy, and yesterday I felt a bit dark after the penalty but this morning I got up and I told my assistant, ‘mate, we can do it. On Lap 10 more or less I can be in the group’. And I’m here! I can only thank my family, my assistant and my trainer, and my team, because without everyone I couldn’t be here!”
TAT woos expat community in Thailand with golfing events
Apr 04. 2021
By THE NATIONThe Tourism Authority of Thailand will organise golf events targeted at the expatriate community in Thailand as part of efforts to restore confidence in domestic tourism under the “Stay Play Safe” campaign.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Phipat Ratchakitprakarn said that the motivation behind the campaign was to re-energise a sector that has been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Over the past year, Thailand and the world has been confronted by a pandemic that has prevented tourists from travelling and so has had a negative impact on the industry and the economy as a whole.
“With the pandemic easing, the government has started to look at ways of reviving the industry from within, targeting the domestic market. Through collaboration with the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the Public Health Ministry and other sectors, the “Stay Play Safe” campaign has been devised to not only create awareness of the ‘Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration [SHA]’ hygienic standard certification, but also to help boost confidence among travellers and in turn revive the sector. A large number of players within the industry have been certified as SHA proprietors.
“The ministry has long recognised the importance of the expatriate community as a sector with high purchasing power and with this in mind, the Department of Tourism, TAT, the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) has come together to re-establish trust among the sector to help boost domestic tourism.”
TAT deputy governor for marketing communications Tanes Petsuwan paid tribute to the efforts of the government, medical professionals and the public in suppressing the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Because of successful collaboration between the government, the medical sector and the public, we have been able to relax a number of protective measures over the past few weeks.
“Throughout the pandemic, TAT has continued to promote the sector among both the foreign and domestic tourist sectors, to ensure the Kingdom remains in the forefront of the minds of tourists. A number of events and activities have been staged throughout Thailand under the auspices of the TAT to convey the importance of Thai public health measures.
“Such events have included the Bangkok Green Lung tour, the Way of Life at Khung Bang Kachao festival which was staged on August 29 2020 to showcase Thai traditional lifestyle near Bangkok in Phra Pradang district, Samut Prakan; the Expat Fair 2020 (Expat Travel Deal 2020) at The EmQuartier from September 11-13 2020; the Chiang Khan Travel to explore the charm of Loei province on October 10-11, 2020; and the Electric Boat Cruise Festival along the Damnoen Saduak Canal in Ratchaburi province on November 28, 2020.”
In its latest attempt to stimulate domestic tourism, TAT is to host the Minister Cup 2021 and the Amazing Thailand Expat Golf Tournament Series.
The Minister Cup 2021 will be staged on April 4 at Alpine Golf Club in Pathum Thani. Foreign ambassadors and representatives from chambers of commerce will be invited to participate in the tournament to tighten relationships between the local business community and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Participants will be updated on the current Covid-19 situation in Thailand and measures that have been implemented to cope with the pandemic. The event will also offer the opportunity to outline the government’s plans and proposed golf and tourism-related activities — under the SHA standard – targeted at the expatriate community in Thailand. Minister Phipat will preside over the event.
The Amazing Thailand Expat Golf Tournament Series 2021 will be held on June 4 at Siam Country Club Old Course in Chonburi. The event will be organised to promote domestic travel among the expatriate community.
Apr 04. 2021Paphangkorn “Patty” Tavatanakit (Photo credit to LPGA)
Thailand’s Paphangkorn “Patty” Tavatanakit continued her seemingly easy week at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, carding a 67 on Saturday to stay atop the ANA Inspiration leaderboard at -14 heading into Sunday’s final round. Tavatanakit, who holds the 54-hole lead for the first time in her LPGA Tour career, is five strokes ahead of defending champion Mirim Lee and LPGA Tour winner Ally Ewing, tied for second at -9.
ANA INSPIRATION LEADERBOARD
Player
To Par
Score
1
Patty Tavatanakit
-14
66-69-67—202
T2
Ally Ewing
-9
71-70-66—207
T2
Mirim Lee
-9
69-70-68—207
4
Shanshan Feng
-8
67-69-72—208
Tavatanakit, a 2020/21 LPGA Tour rookie, fired off three consecutive birdies in her first three holes, distancing herself from the surge of major champions and Tour winners lurking behind. The former UCLA All-American knew how crucial the fast start was toward building momentum.
“It’s always nice to have a good start to feel a little bit more comfortable throughout the day. I was hitting it really good. I’m putting so well right now. Just really pleased with how everything played out,” said Tavatanakit, whose 202 ties the 54-hole scoring record set by eventual champion Pernilla Lindberg in 2018. “Obviously it was a little tough today, too, toward the end. It was hot. It was getting windy. Even though like I shot good scores, like the process was still a little bit challenging.”
Tavatanakit made the turn at -13, but as the temperatures rose, her game was challenged on her back nine. The Thai native and 2019 Symetra Tour Player of the Year carded three birdies and two bogeys in her final nine holes and said staying patient was the key to overcoming the day’s challenges.
“I play aggressive when I can be and you got to play smart golf. It’s a major championship. It’s pins are tough, tough conditions,” said Tavatanakit. “You’ve got to have the things you need to go out and execute and embrace all the challenges out there.”
A win tomorrow would make her the second Thai to lift up a Major’s title after Ariya Jutanugarn at the 2016 Women’s British Open. She will also become the fourth player to win wire-to-wire with no ties, and the first since Karrie Webb in 2000. Tavatanakit could become the first rookie to win the major championship since Juli Inkster in 1984 and the fourth consecutive player to win the ANA as her first major title. But after an exhausting day, she isn’t trying to overthink anything before Sunday’s final round.
“Today I’m going to leave it behind. It’s a great day, acknowledged it, and it’s in the past now. All I can think about is what can I do tomorrow, what can I improve from today’s round? I was getting a little tired at the end. What can I do to keep my energy level up throughout the day tomorrow? That’s going to be my goal,” said Tavatanakit. “And just stay calm out there. I feel like I did that pretty well. And just have the golf, so whatever the outcome is I’ll be really happy. It’s been a good week so far.”
Ewing will join Tavatanakit in the major’s final grouping after carding a third-round 66, her career-low round at the ANA Inspiration. The 28-year-old went bogey-free, recording six birdies, including three consecutive to start off her round on Nos. 1-3, just like Tavatanakit. Lee, who also sits at -9 alongside Ewing, said she’s been working on being more comfortable in her swing and was proud of her effort at Mission Hills Country Club.
“It just tough today. Weather is little hotter than yesterday and then course was difficult today. It’s windy and then little firmer than yesterday. So, yeah, but I made good score today,” said Lee, who with a win would become just the second player to successfully defend at the ANA Inspiration, joining Annika Sorenstam (2001, 2002).
Tavatanakit’s playing partner on Saturday, major champion Shanshan Feng, shot even par on the day and sits in solo fourth at -8. Feng carded a lone birdie on No. 2, but bogeyed No. 13 to stay in contention.
“I think overall I did okay. I mean, I hit the balls very well. Only thing I was missing a little bit was my putting today. I was just struggling with the speed a little bit. But other than that, I think it was perfect,” said Feng. “I’m mentally very fresh, but I would say that I am a little more tired than the beginning of the week. But I’m very happy that I got three down and just one more to go. I think I still have enough energy for that.”
2013 ANA Inspiration champion Inbee Park and Charley Hull are in fifth at -7, with Gaby Lopez, Lydia Ko, Jin Young Ko and Moriya Jutanugarn rounding out the top-10 in a tie for seventh at -6.
WITH A WIN
Patty Tavatanakit would be the first rookie to win the ANA Inspiration since Juli Inkster in 1984
Tavatanakit would become the fourth wire-to-wire winner (no ties) and first since Karrie Webb in 2000
Tavatanakit would be the 14th different player in LPGA Tour history to win a major championship title as a rookie
Tavatanakit would become the first Rolex First-Time Winner of the 2021 season; she would be the sixth player to become a Rolex First-Time Winner at the ANA Inspiration
Tavatanakit, Ally Ewing or Charley Hull would be the 19th players to earn their first major title at the ANA Inspiration
Tavatanakit would become the second UCLA Bruin to ever win a major championship, joining Mo Martin (2014 AIG Women’s Open)
Ewing would earn her second-career Tour victory; she earned her first at the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship – Reynolds Lake Oconee
Ewing would cross the $2 million mark in career earnings with the $465,000 winner’s check ($2377,768)
Ewing would be the first American to win a major since Angela Stanford won the 2018 Amundi Evian Championship
Mirim Lee would be the second player to defend her ANA Inspiration title, joining Annika Sorenstam (2001, 2002)
Lee or Inbee Park would become a two-time winner of the ANA Inspiration, joining seven other players as multiple winners of the major championship
Shanshan Feng would become a two-time major champion; she earned her first major title at the 2012 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
Feng would earn her 11th LPGA Tour victory, and first since the 2019 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic
With the $465,000 winner’s check, Feng would be projected to move up one spot to No. 11 on the Career Money List ($11,925,401)
Inbee Park would become the 19th player to win a major and the tournament before, and first since Lydia Ko in 2016 (Kia Classic, ANA Inspiration)
PATTY TAVATANAKIT, SHANSHAN FENG LEARN FROM EACH OTHER’S SUCCESS
Saturday’s final group had the unlikely duo of two-time major champion Shanshan Feng, kicking off her 14th season on the LPGA Tour, and Patty Tavatanakit, a second-year rookie looking for her first LPGA Tour title. At first glance, one would think that Feng might have schooled her younger competitor on the finer points of major competition. But instead, it was the veteran who looking to the newbie and the next generation of LPGA Tour players for a renewed sense of optimism as she competes for the first time since November 2019.
“I do think all the girls, they just improved a lot. They learned in the right ways, which maybe when we grew up we were still trying to find the right ways,” said Feng. “I think now they got everything together and they’re so ready. I’m just so happy to see that, and I hope that now we have some very good talents from Thailand, Japan, Korea, America, and I hope to see our Chinese talents coming up.”
For her part, Tavatanakit relished every second inside the ropes with Feng, saying that she learned as much from her behavior as she did her game.
“It was really fun and relaxing. I feel like I really like her demeanor on the course, relaxed,” said Tavatanakit, who has never held the lead going into the final round of an LPGA Tour event. “I feel like that kind of helped me a little bit just be relaxed. It’s a final group. Like it’s a lot of pressure.”
Yes, this is a new level of pressure, leading at a major championship. But Tavatanakit is no stranger to the pressure that comes with holding a big lead. She carried a five-stroke lead into the final round of the Symetra Tour’s 2019 Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic, one of her three victories that season. And with seven more wins to her name during her two years at UCLA, the 21-year-old Thai is a prime candidate to make the leap into Poppie’s Pond come Sunday afternoon.
“I know it’s going to be tough. If I’m going to be able to pull it out it’s going to be tough,” said Tavatanakit. “I got to be ready for all the challenges out there, which I think my mentality was (ready to do). I was just like whatever it takes, just us give it to me. I’m ready to play.”
ALLY EWING MAKES BIGGEST MOVING DAY JUMP
Saturday’s lowest round belonged to Ally Ewing, who opened with three straight birdies and added in three more on the back nine for a 6-under 66. That career-low round on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course jumped the Mississippi native from a tie for 20th into a tie for second with defending champion Mirim Lee heading into Sunday’s final round of the ANA Inspiration.
“It was just kind of just a great day. I hit a lot of fairways, greens, which is crucial in a major, especially out here,” said Ewing, whose best ANA finish is a tie for sixth in 2019. “Even if I look back on my day, I missed several putts inside 10 feet. But, I mean, a 66 on Moving Day, certainly all you can ask for to put yourself in a good position for tomorrow.”
If Ewing were to emerge victorious on Sunday, she would become the 19th player to earn her first major title at the ANA Inspiration and the fourth consecutive, joining Pernilla Lindberg (2018), Jin Young Ko (2019) and Mirim Lee (2020). She would also become the first American major winner since Angela Stanford won the 2018 Amundi Evian Championship and the first major winner ever from Mississippi State University.
Ewing became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship at Reynolds Lake Oconee, celebrating that first victory on her 28th birthday. With the win came confidence and experience that she plans to rely upon as she steps to the tee in Sunday’s final round with a major title on the line, playing in the final group alongside leader Patty Tavatanakit.
“To rely on something that you’ve done before I think is a very settling feeling,” said Ewing. “Certainly it’s a major championship and it’s a little bit different, but I think the biggest part for me when I got that win was the day before and the morning before I teed off every day, on Saturday, Sunday I had great conversations with my caddie and just making myself aware of the uncomfortability that I was going to feel and acknowledging that.
“If you try to brush it off and put it to the side, then you’re not acknowledging the truth. So I’m going to go ahead and acknowledge that it’s probably going to be tough tomorrow. I’m going to feel uncomfortable at times, but I’ll embrace it and try to do the best I can.”
EUBANKS: FAST AND FURIOUS: KORDA AND LEWIS MAKE EARLY WAVES ON SATURDAY MORNING
The cutline was 1-over par, just about what was expected given the major-championship conditions of the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills. But what wasn’t expected was the fast and furious start a couple of players made in the warm morning hours on Saturday, long before the leaders teed off.
First came Jessica Korda. The winner of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions was first player out. Because an odd number made the cut, Korda went out alone and played at a pace that would have made Old Tom Morris proud. From the first tee shot until the final putt, Korda took 2 hours and 53 minutes to shoot 68. And for a long time, it looked a lot better than that. The 28-year-old was 6-under par for the round through 17 holes, but a pushed tee shot into thick rough on 18, followed by a layup in a divot and a chunked wedge into the water, resulted in a double-bogey finish.
“After yesterday being really slow and waiting on just about every shot, this was really, really nice,” Korda said. “The way golf should be played.”
Speaking of how the game should be played, Stacy Lewis played 18 near-perfect holes in the middle of this championship. They just happened to be on the same nine holes.
Starting on the back nine on Friday, Lewis shot 38 and turned at plus-6 for the championship, well outside the cut line. Her parents, Dale and Carol, were already looking at change fees for their flight home when Stacy birdied No.1 (her 10th hole of the day). Late in the afternoon, Lewis rolled in a birdie at No. 9 to shoot 31 and make the cut on the number.
Back out on the front nine on Saturday morning, Lewis picked up where she left off. She made six birdies and no bogeys to shoot 30 – an unofficial 61 on the front nine. But the back bit her again. Lewis made triple-bogey on the par-3 14th and closed with a 37 for a respectable 67 on Saturday.
“I hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of really good iron shots and I really didn’t miss a golf shot until 14,” Lewis said. “So just hit it really solid and got the putter going late yesterday. But it’s pretty crazy. I mean, you add those two nines together and I shoot 61, so that’s pretty sweet.”
She hit 10 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens, with 28 putts
Her 202 is the lowest 54-hole score at her LPGA Tour career, besting the 203 she shot at the 2020 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship
Her 202 ties the lowest 54-hole score in ANA Inspiration history, joining the mark set by Pernilla Lindberg in 2018
Tavatanakit is a 2020/2021 LPGA Tour rookie; her career-best finish is a tie for fifth at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (as an amateur) and at the 2021 Gainbridge LPGA
This is Tavatanakit’s fourth event of the 2021 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is a tie for fifth at the Gainbridge LPGA
This is Tavatanakit’s fourth appearance in the ANA Inspiration; her best finish is a tie for 26th in 2019 as an amateur
Named the 2019 Gaelle Truet Rookie of the Year on the Symetra Tour after a season where she took three victories
Played collegiately at UCLA, where she was a seven-time winner and two-time WGCA First-Team All American
Rolex Rankings No. 34 Ally Ewing (71-70-66)
She hit 11 of 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens, with 30 putts
Her 207 is her lowest 54-hole score at the ANA Inspiration, besting the 211 she shot in 2020
This is Ewing’s sixth season on the LPGA Tour; she has one career victory, coming at the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship at Reynolds Lake Oconee
This is Ewing’s fifth event of the LPGA Tour season; her best finish is a tie for 15th at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions
This is Ewing’s fourth appearance in the ANA Inspiration; her best finish is a tie for sixth in 2019
Member of the 2019 U.S. Solheim Cup Team, posting a 1-3-0 record
Recorded five wins at Mississippi State University and holds almost every individual record in MSU history, including most rounds in the 60s and lowest stroke average
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2016
Played on the boys golf team in high school as her school did not have a girls team; became the first girl to win the Mississippi boys state championship
Married Charlie Ewing, who coaches the women’s golf team at Mississippi State University, in May 2020; previously played under her maiden name of McDonald
Rolex Rankings No. 31 Mirim Lee (69-70-68)
She hit 10 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens, with 27 putts
This is Lee’s eighth season on the LPGA Tour; she has four career victories, including the 2020 ANA Inspiration
This is Lee’s second event of the 2020 LPGA Tour season; she tied for 56th at last week’s Kia Classic
This is Lee’s eighth appearance in the ANA Inspiration; she won the 2020 championship with a birdie on the first playoff hole for her first major victory
Has three victories on the KLPGA Tour, coming at the 2013 KG-Edaily Ladies Open, 2012 Korean Women’s Open and 2011 S-OIL Champions
Rolex Rankings No. 35 Shanshan Feng (67-69-72)
She hit 10 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens, with 32 putts
Her 208 ties her lowest 54-hole score at the ANA Inspiration, joining 2018
This is Feng’s 14th season on the LPGA Tour; she has 10 career victories including a major title at the 2012 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, with her most recent victory coming at the 2019 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic
This is Feng’s first LPGA Tour event since the 2019 CME Group Tour Championship; she remained home in China during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season
This is Feng’s 11th appearance in the ANA Inspiration; she has two top-10 finishes, with a best finish of sixth in 2014
Bronze medalist at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, representing the People’s Republic of China
Became the first player from China, male or female, to be ranked No. 1 on Nov. 13, 2017; held the position for 23 weeks
Started the Shanshan Feng Golf Academy in 2017, to provide opportunity for Chinese children to learn the game
Danial Williams
C.T. Pan ( Photo credit to Getty Images) 
Sungjae Im (Photo credit to Getty Images)
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Si Woo Kim (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
Paphangkorn “Patty” Tavatanakit (Photo credit to LPGA)
(Photo credit to LPGA)
Paphangkorn “Patty” Tavatanakit (Photo credit to LPGA)
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