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LPGA, SknVue Partner in Golf’s Global Fight Against Skin Cancer

Mar 02. 2021

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), the longest-running professional women’s sports organization in the world, and SknVue, a nonprofit organization promoting global awareness and early detection of skin cancer, today jointly announced a strategic partnership in support of SknVue’s Skn in The Game campaign.

Through this partnership, SknVue will provide the LPGA with education, cutting-edge tools and actionable skin-wellness plans for players, fans, supporters and golf enthusiasts worldwide to halt the epidemic of skin cancer in the golf community.

“Early detection brings hope to all who are in the fight to stop the incidences of skin cancer,” said Randy Wyant, SknVue co-founder and CEO, who spent more than 40 years as a healthcare executive, most recently at a for-profit skin cancer-focused company. “We are eager to launch this partnership with the LPGA around the Skn in The Game campaign since it puts a much-needed spotlight on skin cancer in golf and the urgency to do something about it now. Skn in The Gameisan immediate, urgent global call-to-action campaign for everyone to pay attention to their skin wellness, and this exciting LPGA partnership will alert the global golf community about the often hidden and silent dangers of skin cancer and offer hope in the fight against this survivable disease.”

The Skn in The Game campaign is designed to help reduce the growth and incidences of skin cancer with forward-thinking education, early detection programs, health screenings, and breakthrough technologies to slow the alarming rise of skin cancer, now the fastest growing cancer in the world, nearing pandemic levels. According to experts, golfers face a significant health risk from habitual sun risk that can lead to skin cancer. When detected early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%. Education and early detection are of paramount importance.

“Working outside in the sun is part of the job description of an LPGA Tour player, so proper sun safety is a top priority,” said Mike Whan, LPGA Commissioner. “This also goes beyond our players, to our caddies, staff, fans and partners. We’re excited to partner with SknVue and the life-saving technology that they are bringing to the market, to help address a disease that impacts so many.”

The LPGA is no stranger to the direct impacts of skin cancer. LPGA Tour players Tiffany Joh and Kendall Dye are skin-cancer survivors. LPGA Commissioner Emeritus Charles S. Mechem Jr. is a skin-cancer survivor and veteran of two Mohs surgeries. And countless Tour veterans have shared personal stories with SknVue of family and friends impacted by skin cancer.

“I am delighted to learn that the LPGA is joining forces with SknVue to promote awareness around skin cancer in golf,” said two-time major champion, golf broadcaster and SknVue Board member Dottie Pepper. “Since we spend so much time outdoors and in the sun, playing, practicing and watching, we need consistent reminders to pay attention to our skin and learn steps we can take to prevent skin cancer. That’s why I emphatically put my Skn in The Game to support this partnership. I’ve had skin cancer myself, so this is personal for me.”

SknVue was launched in 2020 by Wyant and media and financial executive Dan Mechem (son of LPGA Commissioner Emeritus Mechem) and enjoys the support of a who’s who of golf’s leading lights, including LPGA Tour legends Pepper, Nancy Lopez, Juli Inkster and Helen Alfredsson. The organization has also attracted the passionate support of skin-cancer survivors and PGA professionals Andy North and Randy Jones. All of these individuals are enthusiastically putting their Skn in The Game as members of SknVue’s Board of Directors.

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Refinery Media Founder Karen Seah On Reimagining ‘The Apprentice’ During a Global Pandemic

Mar 01. 2021

Upcoming reality series “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” is all but ready to hit TV screens this March. 

The ONE Championship version based on the popular non-scripted television franchise is a complete departure from the classic American version, and offers viewers an entirely new experience, according to Refinery Media founder, Karen Seah.

“The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” invites 16 candidates hand-picked from around the world to participate in a series of business and physical challenges, as they compete for a US $250,000 job offer to work directly for ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong as his protege.

Filmed entirely in Singapore, during the COVID-19 pandemic no less, “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” is a production marvel.

“It was very tough, of course, and a high responsibility on our shoulders to ensure we did it right. The production was the largest in the region at the time, and we had to ensure we set a standard for safety,” said Seah.

“If we couldn’t get it right, then it wouldn’t look too good for the rest of the media industry. Naturally, there were a lot of restrictions, which made things doubly difficult and longer to execute. But we are very proud of what we have accomplished, and we did it very well. This gives me a lot of optimism for future productions in Singapore.”

ONE Championship and Refinery Media worked extensively with the Singapore government, particularly the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), in putting together a series of health and medical protocols to keep the cast, crew, and guests all relatively safe from exposure to COVID-19 as they filmed across iconic locations around the country.

Guests on the show include high-profile CEOs such as Zoom’s Eric Yuan, Grab’s Anthony Tan, and Catcha Group’s Patrick Grove, among others, as well as martial arts legends such as Georges St-Pierre and Renzo Gracie.

According to Seah, the logistics involved in having to bring all these high-profile figures from all around the world to Singapore, in addition to the show’s 16 candidates who represent 11 nations, was incredibly complex but effective.

“All of us had to wear masks and other PPE, especially the camera and sound team under extremely hot temperatures, and sometimes running with the contestants. Rules like this applied to us, but not to a regular person who went for a jog or did some exercise. It seemed extremely difficult, but we needed to put aside our discomfort to ensure the show was produced,” said Seah.

“Despite the adversities, there were always spots of opportunity for those who could see the potential in what we were doing, and were willing to take the risks and make sacrifices. I didn’t care how difficult and daunting the entire production looked like it was going to be, I just wanted to make sure that we were going to surpass all expectations creatively and visually.”

Tremendous hype has surrounded “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” since it was announced in early 2020. When Seah’s team at Refinery Media worked with ONE to storyboard the initial concept of the show, she knew almost immediately she had a potential hit in her hands.

The martial arts promotion is touting this version of the show as the toughest “Apprentice” in history, and Seah is confident ONE and Refinery Media have put together a compelling product that will entertain a wide audience.

“The ONE Championship DNA of sports already gave us an incredible angle to push out an entirely different format than the ‘old’ Apprentice we know of. Combined with Chatri [Sityodtong] being a natural television host and anchor on the show, I knew I could really push the boundaries and do something really exciting and different. I was very confident it was going to be a winning formula,” said Seah.

“I don’t even think anyone will recognize it. It’s vastly different from the original in every sense.”

“The Apprentice” is one of the biggest non-scripted reality television programs in history, judging the business skills of candidates who are competing for a job offer under a high-profile CEO. It has aired in more than 120 countries. 

The first season of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” consists of 13 episodes. It’s scheduled to premiere across Asia on Thursday, 18 March, on AXN, the show’s official Asian broadcast partner, followed by a global launch in June across broadcast and streaming platforms.

Seah invites fans of both “The Apprentice” and ONE Championship to tune in to the show once it finally airs next month.

“I think they will appreciate how global, modern, and edgy the show is, and how the characters are incredibly strong, from various backgrounds, and are exciting to watch. They would also be awed by the quality of filming,” said Seah.

“I think that the show will keep everyone sitting on the edge of their seats with the dramatic twists and turns, and at times, they will be wondering if they are indeed watching a reality series, or a drama series.”

Refinery Media is ONE Championship’s official production partner for “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.” The company has vast experience in delivering audiences top quality reality and non-scripted programming, including Amazing Race Asia, Asia’s Next Top Model, SupermodelMe, Cesar’s Recruit Asia, and many other shows.

Seah believes producing “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” in Singapore has had a positive impact on the country’s economy, creating a bevvy of jobs for locals, especially in the freelance ecosphere.

“I believe this is just the beginning. ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’ has proven that it’s possible to put on a production of this caliber even in times of a global pandemic. Producers should consider taking advantage of how well Singapore has managed the COVID-19 situation,” said Seah.

“There will be more demand for content and they should pivot and find ways to produce good quality content. There is also more demand for Asian faces on the global screens as well. More producers should be creating for global audiences. I’m proud to say that this project has created many jobs for Singapore freelancers.”

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Korda wins fourth career victory at Grainbridge LPGA

Mar 01. 2021Nelly Korda (Photo credit to LPGA)

When Nelly Korda’s final putt dropped at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, the emotions took over. Tears welled in her eyes, as she realized the day’s reward. The 22-year-old had won her fourth victory on the LPGA Tour since joining in 2017 at the Gainbridge LPGA, after what she coined a “stressful” day.

“It was just the stress, honestly. I was so uptight and stressed today. It may not have looked that way, but if you just heard my conversations with my caddie today you would’ve known how stressed I was because I was not hitting it well. I didn’t feel very good. I just grinded through it. Today was honestly a grind,” said Korda, who carded a bogey-free 69 to finish at 16-under overall. “Honestly, I was pretty uneasy all day. I was not hitting it good. I was not hitting enough greens. I was not hitting it great off the tee. I just kept it together.”

Korda, who held the 54-hole lead the night before, started with three birdies on her front nine. She followed it up with 12 straight pars until the end, including a crucial par save on the par-5 No. 15, the week’s Aon Risk Reward Challenge hole. After the ball rolled down the green and off, Korda chipped just a few feet from the pin and exhaled a sigh of relief when her putt barely stayed in the hole.

“I just had to laugh because that was absurd. It was insane that it went in and a little bit of luck, too,” said Korda.

The win is Korda’s first on American soil, and her first professional win in front of her parents. It’s the second time in LPGA Tour history that sisters have won consecutive events (her sister, Jessica, won the season’s opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champion). The first was Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam in 2000; Annika won the Welch’s/Circle K Championship on March 13 and Charlotta won the Standard Register PING on March 19.

“It’s amazing. If we can follow in their footsteps, in Annika’s footsteps, that would be absurd,” said Korda. “It just feels amazing to pull off a win, especially in front of family. It’s actually kind of funny because Jess won the week of my dad’s birthday and I won the week of Jess’.”

Korda’s win come just months after tweaking her back during the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and having to withdraw, then taking two months off from events to recover for the U.S. Women’s Open and the CME Group Tour Championship. It’s been a process, but one Korda is grateful for.

“I think there is no athlete that’s not in pain, to be honest. Every athlete is constantly dealing with something and just trying to maintain. Yeah, it’s been a really hard six, seven months. I don’t know when I injured it. I’ve worked a lot on my body to get myself to where I am today,” said Korda. “I’m continually going to work that hard, but it feels great to finally see the hard work payoff.”

Starting in the penultimate grouping, Lexi Thompson carded a third-straight 68 to finish in a tie for second with Lake Nona resident Lydia Ko at -13. Thompson’s round was punctuated by an eagle on No. 11, where she said she felt the momentum start.

“The eagle was definitely a good little boost to get somewhat up there. I knew what she was at making the turn, so I knew I kind of had to make a run. I just tried to stay within my game and focus on one shot at a time, and that definitely helped,” said Thompson. “I bogeyed the next hole, but I just tried to stay in it and birdie coming in.”

World No. 1 Jin Young Ko ended the day at -11 in solo fourth, her fourth consecutive top-five finish, dating back to the 2020 Volunteers of America Classic. Sarah Kemp finished in a tie for fifth with 2020/21 LPGA Tour rookie, Patty Tavatanakit at -10. Her result is her second-best of her Tour career, with her best a T2 finish at the 2019 ISPS Handa Vic Open. Angel Yin, who started the day -10 and in a tie for third, struggled on the final day, carding three double bogeys and five birdies to record a 73 and finish in seventh.

Annika Sorentam capped off her first appearance on Tour since 2008 with a final-round 76, and finished in 74th at +13. “You know, I’m just thankful for being here, playing here and be able to make the cut. I think overall it’s been quite successful in the sense that I accomplished what I wanted, which was to go out here and just play and play and play. I hit a lot of shots, but I really focused on every shot,” said Sorenstam. “I think I never gave up, even though it was not really going my way and I wasn’t hitting as well as I should be to be out here. The purpose was to get some tournament rounds and I did that.

“I would say I’m quite tired, I’m exhausted. I gave it all. Takes a lot of effort when you miss greens and chip around these greens is really, really difficult. So put a lot of energy into that and obviously just with everybody around it’s been fantastic. It really has. The more I think about it, and once it sinks in I think it’s going to be a big smile on my face.”

LYDIA KO HEADING BACK TO OCALA FEELING STRONG AND READY

After four strong rounds at Gainbridge LPGA to finished in a tie for second at -13, 15-time Tour winner Lydia Ko is ready to revisit Ocala, Fla. for next week’s LPGA Drive On Championship presented by Volvik, a place she remembers fondly.

“The two times I played there I think I had chances to win both, but I think I came second or something, and I still became the No. 1 player,” said Ko who became World No. 1 in 2015 at age 17 after tying for second at the season-opening Coates Golf Championship in Ocala. “So a lot of good memories. I know that they have some signature holes, holes similar to other golf courses, so that’s probably the cool characteristics of that course. Hopefully I’ll be able to feed on some good momentum from this week, and every day is a new day, so we’ll see what happens.”

Not only will fond memories of the location energize Ko as she goes for her first Tour victory since 2018 next week, Ko also said she feels solid about the state of her game. As proven on Sunday, she’s recognizing and taking advantage of birdie opportunities when possible, which Ko said is key to staying consistent on the course.

“It was just a confidence boost for the day,” said Ko of her four-straight birdies on the back nine. “I had my first birdie, and I was like, ‘yay, actually birdies are possible,’ because when you keep not seeing it happen, you feel like, man, it’s just not going to happen, period. But I hit a good shot in there and I took advantage of that opportunity.”

LEXI THOMPSON ON TOP OF HER GAME HEADING INTO DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

With two top-10 finishes in the first two events of the 2021 season, Rolex Rankings No. 11 Lexi Thompson is feeling good with where her game is. After a T7 finish at Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions earlier this year followed by this week’s T2 result, Thompson is determined to clinch a victory at next week’s LPGA Drive On Championship presented by Volvik with the confidence she’s mustered from the past four rounds.

“I think it’s great, just to begin the season with a few good events just to get my confidence up,” said Thompson. “I’ve been working extremely hard on my game in my off weeks, so that’s the biggest thing for me, just to see my hard work paying off, so I’m going to continue to do that, go into Ocala with the same attitude I did coming into here, and see where it goes.”

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Putting power puts Arpichaya on top in battle of teens

Mar 01. 2021Arpichaya Yubol (Photo by Jirawat Srikong)

By THE NATION

Former Thailand LPGA No 1 Arpichaya Yubol relied on her accurate putts to beat promising star Atthaya Thitikul to win the inaugural edition of the Bt3-million Thailand Mixed organised by Trust Golf at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin on Sunday.

Arpichaya Yubol 

The 18-year-old from Saraburi committed three bogeys but also shot eight birdies including four in succession from holes 13-16 for a final round 67, to triumph in the mixed-gender event with 23-under-par 265 at the par-72 course with the full 7,285-yard for the men cut to 6,277 yards for the women.

Both Arpichaya and Atthaya, also 18, started the day a shot behind third-round leader Settee Prakongvech before the latter bogeyed on the eighth hole, allowing the two girls to battle for the top spot. The 2018 local LPGA Order of Merit winner then birdied on the 16th hole which propelled her to the lead from then on, with the current Thailand LPGA No. 1 Atthaya trailing by a stroke and Settee closing the top three as the best male scorer.

“It was fun and a challenge to play against the men,” said Arpichaya, who picked up the winner’s cheque of Bt450,000. “This course has windy conditions. It sets up pretty tough and the pin positions are not easy in the final round,” added the teenager who captured her first title in almost two years since her victory in the Manila Golf Ladies Classic in April 2019.

After making history as the youngest winner at 16 of five Thai LPGA events in a row in 2018, Arpichaya endured a wrist and back injury. She resumed intensive training only during the Covid-19 break last year.

“I have to thank myself for being so patient after the injuries and the hard work. I really learned a lot playing alongside Settee and Atthaya as both have interesting techniques,” added Arpichaya, who bakes and sells brownies with her mother in her free time.

Atthaya Thitikul 

Atthaya, despite struggling with her putts, still managed to sign off with an unblemished 68. Her total 22-under-par 266 saw her land at lone second.

“I had opportunities but I just didn’t seize them. Overall it was a good day for me except the fact that I didn’t make some putts,” said Atthaya, who plans to start her overseas tour in May. As first runner-up, she earned Bt300,000.

Overnight leader Settee, with a disappointing 71, had to be content with third place after he scored a 20-under-par 268. He received Bt180,000 as the second runner-up.

The fourth place was shared by male golfer Suteepat Prateeptienchai (68) and 16-year-old girl Chanettee Wannasaen (66) on 18-under-par 270.

The next Trust Golf Tour stop will be at the Alpine Golf Course Resort in Chiang Mai from April 12-18.

Settee Prakongvech 

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Teens turn on the power in Thailand Championships

Mar 01. 2021Patorn Hanchaikul

By THE NATION

Teenagers Patorn Hanchaikul and Anchisa Chantha stunned the heavy favourites to win the second circuit of the Thailand Championships at the National Tennis Development Centre in Nonthaburi province on Sunday.

Patorn Hanchaikul and Anchisa Chantha

Patron, 18, fought back after being two points away from defeat to beat former Thai No 1 Pruhcya Isarow 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the men’s singles final, while Anchisa, also 18, employed her well-paced and aggressive groundstrokes to beat last week’s champion, Patcharin Cheapchandej, 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 in the women’s singles showdown.

Patron, who is based in Bangkok, had to dig deep to turn the situation around after falling behind 4-5 40-40 on serves against his more experienced rival. He then tightened his defence to force errors from Pruchya to win the next three games and prevailed.

“I’d never beaten him before. So, my plan was to play solid tennis and hit good serves to set up my chances. I’m so happy to win my first professional title,” said Patorn, the former junior world No. 61, who is eyeing a spot in Thailand’s SEA Games team before playing college tennis for the University of Michigan this year.

“I can play some ITF 15,000 events while I study there. The university is famous for tennis, which should be a great opportunity for me,” the teenager said.

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Pattty keeps Thai flag flying high at Gainbridge LPGA

Feb 28. 2021Patty Tavatanakit (Photo credit to LPGA)

Patty Tavatanakit emerged a strong contender in the Gainbridge LPGA after she fired a third round 66 to trail American leader Nelly Korda by a stroke in Orlando on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Patty, or Paphangkorn,produced seven birdies (three straight on the last three holes) to enter the final round with 12 under-par-204. The 2020/21 LPGA Tour rookie took full advantage of moving day to shoot a 66.

“I was driving the ball pretty well. Hit it pretty well. Felt a little slow in the start. My body wasn’t feeling the best in the morning, but hung in there and got through it and just keep my head down, just kept playing golf,” said Tavatanakit, who closed with four birdies on her last five holes. “My confidence just boosts up a lot during off-season, and then coming back with three good rounds it’s just — I’m just really comfortable. Not like over-confident but I know it’s golf. It’s a hard game. There is still a lot out there tomorrow. Just going to do the same thing.”

 Korda had never played Lake Nona Golf & Country Club before this week. After three rounds, she compared it to her home course, Concession, where the PGA Tour is playing this week. Despite a bit of unfamiliarity, Korda cruised through to the top of the leaderboard, finishing day three with a 68 and overall at -13, and giving herself something to celebrate along with her sister Jessica’s birthday at the Gainbridge LPGA.

“The greens are really undulated. Completely different grass. I don’t know what they overseed here with, but it has to be a bit of po and bent around the greens, which is very unusual for Florida, especially like the rough. But I really like it,” said Korda. “It’s a very pretty golf course and hopefully treats my right tomorrow.”

Korda started the first six holes with pars, then carded two birdies on No. 7 and 9 before the turn. “I made a long one on I think No. 7. Thank God I hit the hole, because that was coming in at a pretty hot pace,” said Korda, who measured out the putt to be about 25-30 feet and straight downhill. “No. 9 I just hit my drive really well and I had a 6-iron in so I just two-putted and made birdie.”

The 22-year-old went on to record three more birdies on the back nine and a bogey on No. 13. Though trading the top spot with 36-hole leader Lydia Ko for most of the day, Korda said she feels confident heading into the final day.

“Any time you can get ahead of the pack going into Sunday is a positive,” said Korda, who is going for her fourth career Tour victory and the first on American soil. There are some good players there, so it’ll take good golf to win.”

An unfortunate double-bogey at No. 12 along with bogeys on No. 6 and 18 contributed to Lydia Ko falling from the second-round lead and in a tie for third along with World No. 1 Jin Young Ko and Angel Yin at -10.

“I felt like it could have been a little bit better. Had pretty much one bad hole, but other than that I felt like I played pretty solid. Wish more putts could have dropped, but it’s going to be — it’s pretty tough out there, so hopefully just be able to keep playing solid and give myself good opportunities tomorrow,” said Ko. “I think I just got to focus on my game, play the best golf I can, and see where that puts me. There are so many players playing really well, so I think it’s just important not to get caught up in what everybody else is doing and just do a good job focusing on me and the shot that I have in front of me.”

LPGA Tour winners Lexi Thompson and Chella Choi lurk in a tie for sixth at -9, with major champions Brooke Henderson and In Gee Chun along with Monday Qualifier Marissa Steen stay steady at -8 in a tie for eighth. Annika Sorenstam, playing a third round at a Tour event for the first time 13 years, struggled with her shots today, carding a 79 and in 74th place.

“it was a hard day at the office, as they would say. Just didn’t happen at all today. I was trying really hard but just short-sided myself on a lot of holes,” said Sorenstam. “But I must say I think the course was set up really fun today. I really enjoyed the way they moved up 4. I really enjoy some of the fun pin placements, but it was tricky. I just didn’t hit it solid or straight enough to be able to have a chance for some birdies. It was a rough day, but happy to be here, happy to be playing and just kind of hang in there.”

WITH A WIN

Nelly Korda, Angel Yin, or Lexi Thompson would be the second players from the United States to win in 2021, joining Jessica Korda (Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions)

The Kordas would join Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam as sisters to win consecutive events on the LPGA Tour; Annika won the Welch’s/Circle K Championship on March 13, 2000 and Charlotta won the Standard Register PING on March 19, 2000

Korda would earn her four Tour victory and her first on home soil

Korda would surpass the $4 million career earnings mark with the $300,000 winner’s prize

Yin or Patty Tavatanakit would become the first Rolex First-Time Winners of 2021

Lydia Ko would earn her 16th Tour win, and first since the 2018 MEDIHEAL LPGA Championship

Ko would cross the $11 million mark in career earnings ($11,100,325) and move to 14th on the Career Money List, passing Na Yeon Choi

Jin Young Ko would be the first to win in consecutive Tour appearances since Sei Young Kim in 2020, when she won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and then the Pelican Women’s Championship; Ko won in her last start, the 2020 CME Group Tour Championship

ANGEL YIN PLAYING THROUGH THE PAIN WITH SOLID ROUND AT NONA

Angel Yin is a different Angel than a year ago. At the Tour’s restart in Toledo in 2020 at the Drive On Championship – Inverness Club, she said she started feeling tight, feeling immeasurable pain then at the AIG Women’s Open a few weeks later. After seeing specialists, it was determined to be due to nerve pain in her left shoulder.

“At the worse point, it was hard for me to open a water bottle. I couldn’t drive with my left hand,” said Yin. A natural with the driver, Yin, who averaged 277.50 yards in 2019, said last year she left her treasured club in the bag more times than none. “If you look at the stats last year I was really low in driving distance. It was just because I really couldn’t hit. I think my 7-iron, which usually carries around 155, went sometimes go 145. It was like a big impact on me mentally to think about I’m hitting it so short,” said Yin. “Like when I have a distance and I’m using the full 6-iron I go a club lower because I just physically couldn’t hit it that hard.”

Fast forward to her first event of the 2021 season. With a clearer mindset and more of a handle on her injury, Yin recorded a 7-under 65 to sit in a tie for third at the Gainbridge LPGA along with World No. 1 Jin Young Ko and 15-time Tour winner Lydia Ko at -10. It’s her lowest 18-hole score since the second round of last year’s event in Boca Raton, one off her career-low, a 64 at the 2018 Indy Women in Tech Championship.

The 22-year-old started slow with only one birdie on her front nine on No. 7, but made the turn and fired five birdies, an eagle on the day’s drivable par-4 14th and a lone bogey on No. 17.

“When I hit a shot it still hurts, especially driver. And to shoot 7-under it just feels really good because I wasn’t able to do that in a while. Even though I knew where my game was, the pain was overshadowing everything,” said Yin. “I would say my putts started going in. It wasn’t like I was reading putts bad, but all my putts yesterday and the day before just kind of missed a little bit, including the front nine. And then on the back nine just started rolling in, and then with that momentum I was able to hit it closer and just things just started happening. I didn’t really know what happened. I kind of blacked out. And then I woke up with my bogey, and then was like, okay, let me make another birdie to finish.”

Yin said she was grateful for today’s round as the confidence booster she’s been looking for. All in all, she’s happy to grow from her injury as she goes for her first victory on the LPGA Tour.

“I think this injury saved my career. I learned how to hit a cut which I didn’t really know how to do. I noticed that my swing wasn’t right. I was always a swinger and I became a hitter out of nowhere. I think that is what really causes harm on my left shoulder. So I changed my swing, worked on it nonstop for two weeks back I was back in L.A. and worked out a little bit, and I think it’s good,” said Yin. “I would say I’m more like when I was younger, back to when I was younger playing style and swing. Going backwards in life.”

JIN YOUNG KO EARNS HER DINNER AND T3 FINISH AFTER DAY THREE AT LAKE NONA

All it took for World No. 1 Young Ko to jump up 13 spots to tie for third ahead of the final round at Gainbridge LPGA at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club was a bet with her caddie to shoot 4-under or better. Loser would have to buy dinner.

“Because I had good motivation than the day before,” said Ko, who recorded a third-round 66. “My caddie, he wanted to bet me about dinner tonight, so I won and he has to bring me take-out food to my room.”

Though the bet was enough to get Ko focused on the third day and within three strokes of the leader, what also helped was convening with putting coach Gareth the evening before.

“We have been working together since three years so he knows me really well. I need him,” said Ko of her putting coach who gave her some good advice. “I didn’t connect to my arms and body during my putting stroke, so I fixed a little bit to connect a bit more of my arms with my body.”

MONDAY QUALIFER MARISSA STEEN TAKING IT ALL IN AT GAINBRIDGE

Marissa Steen asked her friend from Orlando to caddie for her at the Gainbridge LPGA Monday Qualifier. He said yes, but couldn’t help if she made it through to the tournament. But, after a 67, Steen made it through easily as the top spot in the Monday event, and after the way she played, he said he was in for the long haul. One COVID-19 test and a negative result, and she was preparing for the tournament ahead of her. Three rounds later, Steen put together a 68 on Saturday to head into the final day in a tie for eighth with Brooke Henderson and In Gee Chun at -8.

“It’s been kind of a whirlwind. Been a really busy week obviously. But I think the course fits my game really well. I’ve played it once before this week a couple years ago and always really liked it. I always know it’s this great condition,” said Steen, “I feel like really the big difference between the first round, today, and then yesterday was I just made a lot more putts. Yesterday I was all around the hole and just really didn’t get them to drop. Was just a little bit off here it there. I can’t telling Oren, ‘We’re putting good rolls on it. It’s going to be okay. We’re doing good stuff.”

A rookie in 2015, Steen’s life has changed in the past couple of months since the end of the 2020 season, and it’s put her golfing career in a whole new light. While she enjoys being in contention at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club, she said there’s more to life than a good golf score.

“I did work a lot with my swing coach, but I think there was — so actually had someone pretty close to me pass away. Actually my boyfriend’s brother passed away in a car wreck just before Christmas. That put everything in perspective for me. It really — I’m getting cold chills,” said Steen, who also said the brother was a habitual golfer and a friend on the course. “It really just made my realize that golf isn’t — I love it. It just put things in perspective. It’s not the end of the world if I shoot a bad round or miss a cut. Like I said, I’ve just been playing very freely.”

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Timely birdie gives Settee one-stroke lead in Thailand Mixed

Feb 27. 2021Settee Prakongvech

By THE NATION

Settee Prakongvech sank a finishing birdie to grab a one-stroke lead over Thai LPGA No. 1 players Atthaya Thitikul and Arpichaya Yubol after round three of the Bt3-million Thailand Mixed organised by Trust Golf at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin on Saturday.

Atthaya Thitikul and Arpichaya Yubol 

The 27-year-old from Chonburi province recovered from two bogeys at the start of the back nine to fire an eagle on the 13th hole followed by four straight birdies from hole 15 to finish with a 65. He finally stopped the female domination at the top of the leader board with a total 19-under-par 197 in the mixed-gender tournament.

“At the start, I just expected to be somewhere near the leaders but never thought I would take the lead. I just focused more on my putts rather than on the scoreboard,” said Settee, who will try to end his drought of titles since his only professional win in the All Thailand Golf Tour in Chanthaburi in July 2019.

“I’m glad to be in the leading group again. It’s even special to be in the same group with top Thai LPGA players and see how they play. Of course they will have the advantage [shorter total distance] to set up better opportunities in the short game. So, I have to make sure that my iron works well,” said Settee, who came through the qualifying tournament on Monday.

Settee will have two promising teenagers breathing down his neck on Sunday. Atthaya, Order of Merit winner in 2020, and Arpichaya, the 2018 No. 1 player, each hit a third-round 65 to follow closely at second on 18-under-par 198.

Atthaya Thitikul 

“Even if it was another good round in general, I just wish I had done better in my short game and had seized more opportunities on par five holes,” said Atthaya, who has won all her three previous tournaments on the Thai LPGA.

“Everyone is good enough to win. It just depends on who has a better day. I don’t want to think too far ahead as it’s the first event of the year. I just want to check where my game is at after working hard in the off season,” added the 18-year-old girl from Ratchaburi.

Arpichaya, also 18, plans to go for her shots heading into the final round in order to put herself in a good position.

Arpichaya Yubol 

“I’m quite confident with my putts now. I will try to play aggressive and have fun out there,” said Arpichaya, winner of five successive Thai LPGA crowns in 2018. She has won seven titles in her career with the latest coming in the Manila Golf Ladies Classic in April 2019.

Four shots off the lead at joint fourth were two female players — Chanokpisut Charoenpattanasatit (65) and Onkanok Soisuwan (68) — each with a 201.

Suteepat Prateeptienchai, with a 68, took the lone sixth position with a 14-under-par 202, two shots ahead of Budsabakorn Sukapan (66) and overnight leader Chanettee Wannsaen (74).

The four-day event is competed in a stroke-play format over 72 holes with the full 7,285-yard for the men reduced to 6,277 yards for the women.

Fans can watch a livestream of the tournament at https://www.facebook.com/trustgolfclub  and on the TrustGolf YouTube channel. T-Sports will also broadcast live coverage of the weekend rounds on television.

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Teenage Chanettee stuns male stars at golf’s Thailand Mixed

Feb 27. 2021Chanettee Wannasaen

By THE NATION

Schoolgirl Chanettee Wannasaen upstaged the male and female stars of Thai golf to emerge as halfway leader in the Bt3-million Thailand Mixed presented by Trust Golf at Hua Hin’s Black Mountain on Friday.

The 16-year-old from Chiang Mai produced nine birdies against two bogeys for her second straight 65 to finish the second round on 14-under-par 130, a shot ahead of first-round leader Pattaraporn Mounchoo.

“I hit all fairways today and made all the putts. It feels great,” said Chanettee, who is in just her second pro tournament after making her debut at the 2020 Thai LPGA Masters, where she came fourth.

Chanettee said she was feeling no pressure despite her surprise lead over a field full of star players, including two-time Asian Tour champion Prom Meesawat, 2020 All Thailand Golf Tour No 1 Pavit Tangkamolprasert and two-time Ladies European Tour winner Atthaya Thitikul. Remaining calm and sticking to the game plan is her priority heading into Saturday’s action.

“I don’t want to get too excited or carried away as there are still two days to go. Man or woman, you still have to putt well on this course if you want to get good scores,” said the teenager, who trains alone with occasional tips from ATGT player Udorn Duangdecha, who also hails from Chiang Mai.

Pattaraporn Mounchoo.

Overnight leader Pattaraporn, who dazzled the stars with a brilliant 12-under 60 on Thursday, endured a difficult back nine on Friday and fell one behind Chanettee. Pattaraporn was leading on 17-under after 15 holes but bogeyed the 16th before splashing into the lake on 17 and suffering a triple bogey. She managed to save par on the finishing hole to remain at 13-under.

“I didn’t drive as well as I did on the first day which made it difficult for me to play my second shots. I’ll try to forget this round and hope for a better one on Saturday,” said Pattaraporn, who will play in the leading group for the first time.

Settee Prakongvech

The best male player was Chon Buri-based Settee Prakongvech, winner of the Singha All Thailand Memorial in 2019, who hit back-to-back 66s for third place on 12-under 132.

Fourth position was snatched by three female players – Thai LPGA No 1 Atthaya (2020) and Arpichaya Yubol (2018) and Onkanok Soisuwan – all on 11-under 133.

“You need to have good putts to create chances on this course,” said Atthaya. ”The pin positions are not easy.”

Atthaya Thitikul

Second-best male player was Suteepat Prateeptienchai, shooting a 69 to land four strokes off the lead on 10-under 134.

Following two shots behind were home favourite Prom and top qualifier Amarin Kraivixien, tied in eighth along with three women – Chanokpisut Charoenpattanasatit, Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras and Kultida Pramphun.

A total of 68 players made the cut at even-par 144.

The four-day event is competed in a stroke-play format over 72 holes with the full 7,285-yard for the men cut to 6,277 yards for the women.

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Ennahachi retains ONE flyweight kickboxing title with unanimous Decision win over Superlek Kiatmoo9

Feb 27. 2021

By THE NATION

ONE Championship returned Friday with ONE: FISTS OF FURY. The explosive card featured six compelling fights contested under mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and Muay Thai rules.

In the main event of the evening, reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Ennahachi retained his World Title with a victory over #2-ranked contender “The Kicking Machine” Superlek Kiatmoo9.

Ennahachi proved enigmatic in the first round, stifling Superlek with his movement and pinpoint counters. The Thai fighter appeared flat-footed and a step behind Ennahachi the entire frame, as the defending champion forced him to retreat in every exchange.

Superlek, a multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion, did better with his kicks as the fight progressed. But Ennahachi was simply the better man on this night, as he swarmed forward with confidence, staving off his Thai counterpart’s best offense. After five hard-fought rounds, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Ennahachi.

ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Champion and current #1-ranked featherweight kickboxer Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan turned in another virtuoso performance, edging out former foe Davit Kiria after three rounds of action. Petrosyan once again showcased his precision striking, as he attacked Kiria with diverse punching combinations and a thudding left kick to the body. As Petrosyan grew more comfortable, he began to time Kiria with sharp counters. Kiria put forth a valiant effort in trying to throw Petrosyan off his game, but the latter stuck with it and clinched the clear-cut unanimous decision victory.

Reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon made a successful ONE Super Series kickboxing debut, turning back “Samingpri” Tagir Khalilov after three close rounds. The Thai star solidified his #1 contender spot in the flyweight kickboxing division with the hard-earned split decision, as he showcased his trademark relentlessness against a game opponent. While Rodtang applied the pressure, Khalilov tried his best to stand his ground and fire back, landing a handful of clean shots himself. In the final round, Rodtang smothered Khalilov with his complete arsenal of punches, forcing “Samingpri” to go on the defensive.

In a rematch of their October clash, #3-ranked kickboxing contender Hiroki Akimoto scored his second straight victory over #4-ranked contender “Muay Thai Boy” Zhang Chenglong after an intense three-round affair. Akimoto got off to a fast start, pushing the pace with his powerful striking combinations, as he ripped punches to the head and body. Zhang turned up the aggression in the second round, countering with urgency as the fight progressed. Akimoto, however, stuck to his game plan and continued to land the more accurate strikes in the final frame. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Akimoto to win by unanimous decision.

Filipino-American striker Jackie Buntan impressed in her ONE Super Series debut, upsetting rising Thai star Wondergirl Fairtex in a near-flawless performance. Buntan showcased her speed and technique, employing a fast-paced attack with high volume. In the first round, a left hook dropped Wondergirl, sending the Thai fighter face-first into the canvas. Buntan continued to tag Wondergirl repeatedly with accurate boxing combinations, digging into the midsection to slow her opponent’s pace as the bout wore on. In the end, Buntan’s overall dominance earned her a unanimous decision victory.

Highly regarded 16-year-old prospect Victoria “The Prodigy” Lee made a successful professional mixed martial arts debut, dominating Sunisa “Thunderstorm” Srisen en route to a second-round victory. Lee came out aggressively, putting the pressure on Srisen early in the first frame. It didn’t take long before “The Prodigy” took matters to the ground and swiftly transitioned to the back, where she fished for a rear-naked choke. Srisen just barely survived the round, but after making some key adjustments, Lee took the Thai down to the mat again in the second stanza. This time, she secured the fight-ending submission to force the tap.

Next, ONE Championship returns with ONE: FISTS OF FURY II, a previously recorded event scheduled for broadcast on Friday, 5 March. In the main event, Iranian superstar and Greco-Roman Wrestling World Champion Amir Aliakbari makes his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut against Korean crusher Kang Ji Won, who is coming off a huge knockout win. And in the co-main event, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Alexandre Machado takes on undefeated Russian wrestler Anatoly Malykhin. For more information, please visit the official ONE: FISTS OF FURY II Event Page.

Official Results for ONE: FISTS OF FURY

ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship: Ilias Ennahachi defeats Superlek Kiatmoo9 via Unanimous Decision

Kickboxing – Featherweight: Giorgio Petrosyan defeats Davit Kiria via Unanimous Decision

Kickboxing – Flyweight: Rodtang Jitmuangnon defeats Tagir Khalilov via Split Decision

Kickboxing – Bantamweight: Hiroki Akimoto defeats Zhang Chenglong via Unanimous Decision

Muay Thai – Strawweight: Jackie Buntan defeats Wondergirl Fairtex via Unanimous Decision

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight: Victoria Lee defeats Sunisa Srisen via Submission (Rear-naked Choke) at 1:03 of Round Two

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Pattaraporn grabs limelight as women dominate men at golf’s Thailand Mixed

Feb 25. 2021Pattaraporn Mounchoo

By THE NATION

Pattaraporn Mounchoo stunned Thailand’s top male golf professionals on Thursday, shooting her career-best of 60 to set the pace in the Bt3-million Thailand Mixed presented by Trust Golf at Black Mountain in Hua Hin.

The little-known player from Nakhon Ratchasima grabbed the limelight at the mixed-gender tournament, crafting 10 birdies plus an eagle on the 18th for an opening round of 12-under at the par-72 course.

“Everything I tried worked for me today. Even when I didn’t have a good tee shot, I still managed to chip in. It’s by far the best round in my life,” said Pattaraporn, who signed off four shots ahead of 2018 Thai LPGA Order of Merit winner Arpichaya Yubol.

The 24-year-old Pattaraporn’s best result to date is a modest fourth place at a local Challenger event last year, but her average driving distance of 270 yards could prove a powerful weapon in this week’s tournament.

“I may have the big shots, but the men have more experience. What I need to do first is cope with the pressure as the focus will be on me as first-round leader,” said Pattaraporn, who will start the second round atop the leaderboard for the first time in her career.

Atthaya Thitikul

Lying third five shots off the lead is a group of four women and two men, including seven-time All Thailand Golf Tour champion Prom Meesawat and last year’s Thai LPGA No 1 Atthaya Thitikul.

Atthaya, 18, put herself in a strong position with a bogey-free round of 65, maintaining momentum from her five Thai LPGA victories last year.

“It’s fun to compete with the guys. I’ve been learning a lot from them since the practice rounds,” said the two-time Ladies European Tour winner.

Prom Meesawat 

Prom was joined by Suteepat Prateeptienchai as the only men to feature in the top three places. The 36-year-old Prom handed in a scorecard highlighted by six birdies, one eagle on the ninth and a lone bogey on the 12th.

“It’s a good experience for the ladies to play in the same group with the likes of Prayad Marksaeng and Thaworn Wiratchant. Although the ladies have a distance advantage, we men will try to fight hard out there,” said the Hua Hin-based player. The course measures 7,285 yards off the men’s tees and 6,277 yards off the women’s.

Teenagers Onkanok Soisuwan, 19, and Chanettee Wannasaen, 16, are also among the group of players in third place on 65.

Pavit Tangkamolpraset, last year’s All Thailand Golf Tour No 1, is two shots further back after shooting five birdies for an opening round of 67.

“This is my first event in three months, so I still have to get my momentum back, said Pavit, who lies seven off the pace.

“It’s nice to have the ladies in the tournament as they play a different style which we [men] can learn from,” said Pavit.