Suzuki will take a three-stroke lead over Gaby Lopez into the final round as she looks for her first career LPGA Tour title in her home country, but she knows no lead is safe on the LPGA Tour.

“I am always checking U.S. LPGA winning scores,” Suzuki said. “I have to shoot more than 3 under to win the tournament.  Usually winner scores low. Especially this week with this course, I think I have to play and score 5 to 6 under. That will be my target score tomorrow.”

LPGA Tour winner Lopez finished birdie-birdie to card a second-round 67 and secure a position in the final grouping on Sunday.

“It’s key to be below the hole on every single green,” Lopez said of the Seta Golf Course. “Everything slopes back to front. The more you are putting uphill the more aggressive you can be. Sometimes it’s hard just because it’s slopey on the fairways. But, I mean, I think my caddie and I did a good job. I mean, I don’t know. Tomorrow it’s a whole different story. It’s a new beginning, a new start. I’ll do my best and we’ll see.”

First-round co-leader Hannah Green fought back on Saturday with three birdies on the back nine to sit in a tie for third with Hyo Joo Kim at -8.

“It was a little rusty on the front nine,” Green said. “Didn’t hit many fairways really all day. Never really gave myself any opportunities for birdie. Was, you know, leaving myself like putts where I needed to two-putt. But then the back end of the round I felt a lot more confident and I pushed myself to make sure I finished under par. It was nice to finish birdie, birdie today because I didn’t do that yesterday.”

Two-time TOTO Japan Classic champion Shanshan Feng is tied for fifth with Minjee Lee at -7, while six players are at 6-under par including 2019 LPGA Tour rookie Jennifer Kupcho and 2019 AIG Women’s British Open winner Hinako Shibuno.

LOPEZ GETS INTO CONTENTION ON BIRTHDAY

In 2018 at the Blue Bay LPGA, Gaby Lopez celebrated her 25th birthday in style by winning her first career LPGA title. On Saturday at the TOTO Japan Classic, Lopez celebrated her 26th birthday with a birdie-birdie finish to post a second-round 67 and sit in solo second with one round to go.

“Having a birthday present with, you know, good couple of putts out there,” Lopez said. “I think maybe I just played a little bit more relaxed because I was happy to be able to do what I love. Playing on the LPGA, playing in Japan, my favorite country on my birthday, I mean, it couldn’t get better than that. And having my boyfriend [Santiago Carranza] and my caddie [Alvaro Alonso] here, it just makes everything just much more special.”

Lopez will start the final round three shots behind leader Ai Suzuki, and she said with the TOTO Japan Classic being a 54-hole event it offers a different type of a challenge.

“I guess it requires a little bit more focus since the beginning. Like you got to put a low round since day one so you don’t need to make up so many shots during the weekend. Maybe, you know, the tighter it gets the better I need to play since the beginning. That makes me kind of trigger my focus. Just, I don’t know, be sharp since day one and be patient, because I know girls are — I’m playing against the best players in the world. So, I mean, only thing I can do is control my mind, my emotions, and have a good attitude.”

TWO-TIME CHAMP FENG ENJOYING TIME IN JAPAN

In seven starts at the TOTO Japan Classic, major champion Shanshan Feng has never finished outside the top 30. She has four top-10 finishes including back-to-back wins at the event in 2016 and 2017 at the Taiheiyo Club. Through two rounds at the 2019 tournament, Feng is five shots behind leader Ai Suzuki at 7-under par and she said she likes the course set up at Seta.

“For three-day events you have to keep it going every day,” Feng said. “I love the Japanese courses. They’re reasonable. Normally I think they’re played a little bit shorter than what the LPGA does. But I think it’s just fine. I think it’s not a distance challenge. I think it’s about the game, about the management, course management, and about the short game and accuracy.”

Feng said she is very comfortable playing in Japan, and on Sunday she will do her best to collect her sixth top-10 finish of the 2019 season.

“As an Asian player, of course food is very important and having Asian food here every day. And actually Japanese, they use our Chinese same characters so sometimes I can read. Like I might not be able to pronounce it, but I can read everything. So it makes me feel like I’m closer to home and feeling more comfortable over here.”

WITH A WIN

Ai Suzuki would become the third non-Member winner of the 2019 season, joining AIG Women’s British Open winner Hinako Shibuno and BMW Ladies Championship winner Ha Na Jang

Suzuki would become eligible for LPGA Tour Membership; she could accept immediate Membership or take Membership for the 2020 season – she would have until Monday of the CME Group Tour Championship to make her decision

Suzuki would become the 15th different winner from Japan in LPGA Tour history, and would join Kia Classic winner Nasa Hataoka as 2019 Japanese winners

Gaby Lopez would earn her second career LPGA Tour win; and would capture titles at the penultimate event for the second-straight year

Mexico would become the 10th different country to be represented by a winner in 2019

Suzuki or Lopez would become the 23rd different winner on the LPGA Tour in 2019

The 24-year-old Poom, who came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School last December, nailed eight birdies against two bogeys to equal the two-day efforts of overnight leader Natthaphat (70) on eight-under-par 134 total at the Thai Country Club.

The leading duo holds a one-shot advantage over home favourite Prom Meesawat (67), Australia’s Andrew Martin (68), India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu (67) and S.S.P. Chawrasia (67) at the US$300,000 full-field Asian Tour event.

“Everything just went my way today. I holed a lot of putts. I was sticking it close from the fairways so yeah, my approach shots were good,” said Poom who finished fifth at the Asian Tour Qualifying School last December to secure his playing rights for the 2019 season.

“I shot three under on the front nine and luckily, I was able to keep it going heading into the back. I was just hitting it close to keep the momentum going. I’m just going to stick to my game plan tomorrow and just try to have fun out there because I’ve never been in this position before,” added Poom who graduated from the James Madison University in the United States in December 2017.

Newly crowned Asian Tour champion Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand continued his fine form by carding a 68 to move within two shots off the lead. He sits in seventh place alongside countryman Charng-Tai Sudsom (68) and Chinese Taipei’s Wang Wei-hsuan (69) on 135.

India’s Shiv Kapur, who opened his campaign with a 74, took a great leap forward after creating a new course record on the par-71 set-up with his blistering round of 63.

The 37-year-old Kapur settled three shots off the pace in tied-10th position with a host of players which include American John Catlin (70) and Phachara Khongwatmai (72) of Thailand.

The halfway cut was set at one-over par 143 with 78 players, included three amateurs, progressing into the weekend rounds.

The Thailand Open marks the start of the Asian Tour’s 2019/20 Panasonic Swing, which is a ranking based on an aggregate point race that spans five events with the final top-three players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.

Scores after round 2 of the Thailand Open 2019 being played at the par 71, 7198 Yards Thai CC course (am – denotes amateur):

134 – Poom Pattaropong (THA) 69-65, Natthaphat Harnchokchaiskul (am, THA) 64-70.

135 – Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-67, Andrew Martin (AUS) 67-68, Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND) 68-67, S.S.P. Chawrasia (IND) 68-67.

136 – Wang Wei-hsuan (TPE) 67-69, Charng-Tai Sudsom (THA) 68-68, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 68-68.

137 – Peradol Panyathanasedh (THA) 69-68, Raththee Sirithanakunsak (THA) 69-68, Shiv Kapur (IND) 74-63, John Catlin (USA) 67-70, Nopparat Panichphol (THA) 70-67, Wang Wei-lun (TPE) 70-67, Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) 65-72.

138 – Vanchai Luangnitikul (am, THA) 69-69, Soomin Lee (KOR) 66-72, Ben Leong (MAS) 71-67, Travis Smyth (AUS) 70-68.

139 – Amir Nazrin (MAS) 70-69, Heungchol Joo (KOR) 70-69, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72-67, Daniel Fox (AUS) 67-72, Joohyung Kim (KOR) 68-71, Taewoo Kim #1468 (KOR) 69-70, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 72-67, Steven Jeffress (AUS) 67-72, Jake Higginbottom (AUS) 70-69, Thaya Limpipolpaibul (THA) 66-73.

The 19-year-old Natthaphat, one of 10 amateurs in the field this week, received a late confirmation for the event on Sunday night but would find himself at the top of the leaderboard after firing eight birdies against a bogey at the Thai Country Club in Chachoengsao.

“This is the first time I’m playing in the Thailand Open. I was very excited when I received a call from the TGA [Thailand Golf Association] on Sunday night to say that I am in the tournament. I came here straight on Monday to practise. I would like to thank the TGA for giving me this opportunity,” said the teenager, who used to be a member of the Thailand Junior Golf Federation where he had won several Class A events before graduating two years ago.

“I played better than I expected. I thought it would be great if I can shoot under-par today. I really didn’t expect myself to play so well. I hit my approach shots very well today and my putting was good too. My driver wasn’t too bad as well. I managed to hit a lot of fairways,” added the teenager, who found 10 fairways and missed only one green in his solid round of 64. He needed only 28 putts around the greens.

“I have been practising hard for the Qualifying School on the local Tour so it’s a good time for me to get into the Thailand Open. I feel very honoured to be playing alongside the top Thai stars in the tournament this week,” said the Bangkokian, the last man in for the 2019 Thailand Open.

Starting from the first, Natthaphat reeled in four straight pars before nailing seven birdies in his next 11 holes. He stumbled with a bogey on 16 but bounced back swiftly with another birdie on 17 before closing with a par to take the lead for the first time in a professional tournament.

Another local young gun, Phachara Khongwatmai, impressed in his first attempt at tackling the course as he returned with a bogey-free round highlighted by six birdies to take second place at the National Open, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Thailand Golf Association.

“I thought the conditions were pretty difficult out there. The wind was quite strong and the direction changes. It’s an easy game for me today because I hit my driver well. This is my first time playing here at the Thai Country Club so to shoot a 65, I’m really happy,” said the 20-year-old Phachara, who came into prominence when he won the 2015 PGM CCM Rahman Putra Championship to become the youngest Asian Development Tour winner at the age of 15.

“I have never played here before. This course is pretty wide but if you’re not on the fairway, it can get very difficult. The greens are firm too. I am very happy with my round today. I hope I can hit my driver as well tomorrow,” he added.

Asian Tour Qualifying School graduate Aadil Bedi of India also kept the blemishes off his card to card a commendable 66 in his debut appearance at the Thailand Open. The 18-year-old shares third place with Thaya Limpipolpaibul of Thailand and Soomin Lee of Korea.

Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat and American John Catlin, who hold a combined total of eight Asian Tour titles, were among those bunched in sixth place following matching rounds of 67s in the full-field event.

Defending champion Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand had a round to forget after registering a 74 to tie for 110th place.

The Thailand Open marks the start of the Asian Tour’s 2019/20 Panasonic Swing, which is a ranking based on an aggregate points race that spans five events with the final top-three players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.

Once again, the absolute best in world-class martial arts talent will descend upon the ONE Circle to showcase their skills.

In the main event, Alaverdi “Babyface Killer” Ramazanov of Russia will face “Muay Thai Boy” Zhang Chenglong of China for the inaugural ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship.

Ramazanov is a three-time IFMA World Champion from Dagestan, Russia, which is known for producing elite-level combat sports athletes. He made his ring debut once he turned 18 years old and has since put together an excellent record by winning almost all of his bouts to date. Training full-time at the prestigious Venum Training Camp in Thailand, Ramazanov now competes alongside the world’s best strikers in ONE Super Series. After a string of impressive victories, he has earned a shot at ONE Championship gold.

Ramazanov’s opponent, Zhang Chenglong, is a Top King Muay Thai World Champion who began training in sanda and Muay Thai from the age of 12. By the time he was 19 years old, Zhang had already built up a wealth of experience, having faced superstars like Longchai, Kiatpetch, and Singdam Kiatmoo9 in the ring. Now on an undefeated run in ONE Super Series, he challenges for the inaugural ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title in the Malaysian capital.

In the co-main event, Sam-A Gaiyanghadao of Thailand will take on “Golden Boy” Wang Junguang of China for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship.

Sam-A is known as one of the very best Muay Thai competitors of all time. Over the course of a stellar 25-year career spanning more than 400 bouts, he has captured Muay Thai World Titles across several weight classes. Sam-A joined ONE Super Series in 2018, and he became the inaugural ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. Now, he aims to make history once again by facing Junguang for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title.

Junguang is an Enfusion Kickboxing World Champion. He employs a boxing-heavy style and is relentless on the attack, mixing strikes to the head and body effectively. He recently joined ONE Super Series and is now testing himself in the world’s largest martial arts organization. After an impressive first-round victory over Federico Roma, Junguang has earned a shot at glory.

Several other exciting matches have been confirmed for ONE Championship’s return to the Malaysian capital.

Wushu World Champion and former MIMMA Women’s Champion Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan of Malaysia is set to take on Filipino newcomer Denice Zamboanga in a women’s atomweight contest.

Radzuan is one of the finest female martial artists to emerge from Malaysia, having competed in various disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wushu, kickboxing, and boxing. She made her professional mixed martial arts debut in 2017 and since then, she has impressed with her well-rounded style. Along the way, Radzuan has defeated top talents including Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol and former ONE World Title challenger Jenny Huang.

Her opponent, Zamboanga, is a rising star in the Philippines and she comes from a family of martial artists. She now joins the world’s best talent to showcase her skills on the biggest global stage for martial arts competition. Zamboanga won’t have an easy go in her promotional debut, however, as Radzuan is one of the top competitors in the women’s atomweight division.

Former ONE World Title challengers Agilan “Alligator” Thani of Malaysia and Mohammad “O Lutador” Karaki of Lebanon will square off in a welterweight contest.

The 24-year-old Thani is one of the finest martial arts athletes ever produced by Malaysia. Ever since making his debut in the Circle, the man called “Alligator” has torn through the competition. Thani, who captured a Malaysian national championship as an amateur, won his first seven professional matches to earn a crack at the ONE Welterweight World Championship. He looks to break back into the World Title picture with big win in his hometown.

Karaki, on the other hand, is a two-division Desert Force Champion who has a black belt in Shotokan Karate and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Also, he has reached the podium in several major Middle Eastern tournaments. Karaki brings a dominant ground game and powerful striking to the table, as well as an exciting style that has seen him finish almost all of his opponents to date. After finding tremendous success in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, Karaki moves down one more weight class and starts his march towards the ONE Welterweight World Title.

In a flyweight contest, former ONE World Title challenger Reece “Lightning” McLaren of Australia will lock horns with India’s Gurdarshan “Saint Lion” Mangat.

McLaren is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a former Eternal MMA and XFL Bantamweight Champion. He is an absolute menace on the mat, evidenced by the incredible skills he has shown in submission victories so far in his ONE Championship career. McLaren’s most notable wins have come over Mark Striegl, Muin Gafurov, and Gianni Subba.

Mangat, similarly, has impressed in his run so far as a professional. He is the child of Indian immigrants who grew up in a small town in Canada. Inspired by ONE Vice President Rich Franklin, Mangat pursued a career in martial arts. His journey has led him to the bright lights of ONE Championship. He joined the promotion in March this year, and has since posted two stellar victories over solid opponents.

ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS features a mix of compelling mixed martial arts and ONE Super Series striking contests.

Ryuto “Dragon Boy” Sawada of Japan will take on undefeated Bokang Masunyane of South Africa in a strawweight bout. Former MIMMA Featherweight Champion Muhammad “Jungle Cat” Aiman of Malaysia battles ONE Jakarta Bantamweight Tournament Champion Chen Rui of China in a bantamweight showdown. Four-time Chin State Wrestling Champion Tial “The Dragon Leg” Thang goes head-to-head with ONE Championship newcomer Kim Woon Kyoum of Korea at bantamweight. Impressive South Korean “The Big Heart” Yoon Chang Min takes on multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Fabio Pinca of France in a featherweight clash. Last but not least, Cambodian mixed martial arts prospect Savannah Em will see action against Rayane Bastos of Brazil in a women’s flyweight contest.

In a pair of striking only bouts, Superkombat Super Cruiserweight World Champion Andrei “Mister KO” Stoica of Romania trades heavy artillery with Brazilian National Kickboxing Champion Anderson “Braddock” Silva of Brazil in a kickboxing matchup, while European Kickboxing champion Rui Botelho faces Japan’s Taiki Naito in a Muay Thai contest.

ONE: MARK OF GREATNESS

Friday, 6 December 2019

Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Main Event

ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship

Alaverdi Ramazanov vs Zhang Chenglong

Kickboxing: 65.8kg

Co-Main Event

ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship 

Sam-A Gaiyanghadao vs Wang Junguang

Kickboxing: 56.7kg

Jihin Radzuan vs Denice Zamboanga

Mixed Martial Arts: 52.2kg

Agilan Thani vs Mohammad Karaki

Mixed Martial Arts: 83.9kg

Gurdarshan Mangat vs Reece McLaren

Mixed Martial Arts: 61.2kg

Ryuto Sawada vs Bokang Masunyane

Mixed Martial Arts: 56.7kg

Andre Stoica vs Anderson Silva

Kickboxing: 102.1kg

Muhammad Aiman vs Chen Rui

Mixed Martial Arts: 65.8kg

Tial Thang vs Kim Woon Kyoum

Mixed Martial Arts: 65.8kg

Yoon Chang Min vs Fabio Pinca

Mixed Martial Arts: 70.3kg

Rui Botelho vs Taiki Naito

Muay Thai: 61.2kg

Savannah Em vs Rayane Bastos

Mixed Martial Arts: 61.2kg

In 2018 at the TOTO Japan Classic, Hataoka wowed her home country by firing a 5-under 67 on Sunday to win by two strokes. She has since added a win at the 2019 Kia Classic to her budding LPGA resume. Hataoka has taken the last two weeks off to recover from an illness, and she said she’s not 100% recovered but couldn’t miss a chance to defend her title and reflect on her 2018 win.

“I play mainly in U.S., so I don’t have much chance playing in Japan. Competing with LPGA members in this tournament and winning was an honor,” Hataoka said through a translator. “At the same time by winning, I was able to show Japanese fans that I am improved my golf.”

Hataoka comes into the TOTO Japan Classic on a hot streak. In September she won the Japan Women’s Professional Golf Championship Konica Minolta Cup, a major on the JLPGA, and then in October she won the Japan Women’s Open for the third time in her career. In her last three LPGA events, she finished T3 at the Buick LPGA Shanghai, T4 at the Cambia Portland Classic and T5 at the CP Women’s Open.

With just two events left in the LPGA Tour season, Hataoka’s chances of achieving her goal of three LPGA wins in 2019 is dwindling but she said she’s still confident. “I still have chance, so I like to be positive.”

LEXI THOMPSON RETURNS TO ACTION

Rolex Rankings No. 8 Lexi Thompson returns to the LPGA Tour for this week’s TOTO Japan Classic making her first start since the Indy Women in Tech Championship in September. While Thompson got some much-needed rest during that time, she said she spent her time off grinding in the gym and on the course, including working on some changes to her swing.

Thompson said she is trying to tame down the jump in her swing in order to be more consistent, and has shared a few videos of her progress on her Instagram.

Despite a lengthy break, the major champion says she has her eyes set on her 12th LPGA title this week.

“Obviously, wanting to win. That’s always my number one goal, but with how hard I’ve worked in the last four weeks, really just committing to what I’ve worked on and just going out there free swinging and just continue to work on that,” Thompson said. “Just let it go and just enjoy the experience of being here.”

Thompson also said she is looking forward to using the TOTO Japan Classic to prepare for her title defense at the CME Group Tour Championship to finish her eighth season on Tour.

“It’s important for me right now just with the swing changes I’ve made to have a little test run and put it under the gun and in competition, I think it’s very important. I have a week off after this, so it will be good for a tune up before Naples to see where my game is at and what I need to work on.”

TWO-TIME CHAMP SHANSHAN FENG HAPPY TO BE BACK IN JAPAN

In seven starts at the TOTO Japan Classic, major champion Shanshan Feng has never finished outside the top 30. She has four top-10 finishes including back-to-back wins at the event in 2016 and 2017 at the Taiheiyo Club.

While the 2019 TOTO Japan Classic is being played on the Seta Golf Course, Feng said this is one of her favorite stops on the LPGA.

“Every time I come back to Japan, I’m really excited, very happy because I love the people in Japan, and I love Japanese food, and Japanese courses,” Feng said. “TOTO has done a very great job providing this tournament. I think we are very appreciated and also I think every time if I have a chance to come back, I would like to enjoy the week.”

This season, Feng has five top-10 finishes including a win at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. With just two events left on the 2019 LPGA Tour schedule, Feng is looking to finish her season on a high note.

“I didn’t set any goals in coming this week, I know that I have some success on this tournament, I just want to enjoy the week and this is the end of season of this year, so I think I’ll try my best.”

Kim, the youngest player in the 144-man field this week at 17 years old, won his third Asian Development Tour (ADT) title this season at the RAYA Pakistan Open two weeks ago to earn playing rights for the remainder of the 2019 Asian Tour season.

The young Korean showed his worth with his quick rise through the ADT and proved himself to be one of the genuine title contenders at the US$300,000 event, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Thailand Golf Association.

“This is my second Thailand Open. Obviously, I had a great year on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) which has given me a chance to play on the Asian Tour for the rest of the 2019 season. I am feeling good,” said Kim who earned his Asian Tour card for the remainder of the 2019 season after claiming three wins on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) this season.

“I just want to see how my game fits on the Asian Tour. I know this course. I have played a few times but knowing this course, it’s still going to be pretty tricky no matter how many times you play here,” the South Korean added.

After missing the mark at the 2019 Asian Tour Qualifying School last December, Kim switched his focus to the ADT where he has enjoyed great successes with three wins over five months and six other top-10 finishes. He leads the ADT Order of Merit with a haul of US$59,451.

“I moved to Bangkok last year with my family, for golf reasons really. There are a lot of good Thai players here and I think it’s a good base in Asia to travel around and work on my game. The practice facilities here are good too,” he said.

Kim, who is based in Bangkok with his family, will feature in the Kingdom’s National Open alongside Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat and Poom Saksansin, who came in first and second respectively last year, as well as newly crowned Asian Tour champion Suradit Yongcharoenchai.

“Before coming to Bangkok, I was in the Philippines for six years and prior to that, I lived in Australia for seven years. The aim is to try and make the cut first this week. I just want to learn as much as I can for next season. I want to try and learn from the best players out here,” said Kim who turned 17 years old in June and he has been residing in Bangkok, Thailand with his family for two years. He turned professional in May 2018.

“Playing on the ADT this season has been a really good experience for me. I really got to understand how much I have to become better as a player. It’s also pretty fun to travel to places like Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia, places I have never been before,” he added.

India’s Rashid Khan hopes to recover lost grounds this week after enduring several near misses for his third Asian Tour title and first since 2014. Sitting in 243rd place on the Official World Golf Ranking, Khan is the highest-ranked player in the field.

The Thailand Open will also kick off the third edition of the Asian Tour’s 2019/20 Panasonic Swing, which is a ranking based on an aggregate point race that spans five events with the final top-three players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.

Panuphol, who claimed a memorable second Asian Tour victory at the Kingdom’s National Open last year, will challenge for top honours again on his home course when he headlines the US$300,000 event, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Thailand Golf Association.

“I feel really excited. I am looking forward to my title defence this week. I still remember I holed a lot of putts to win the tournament last year. It was great to win my own National Open. It’s a huge honour,” said the 26-year-old.

“The game’s pretty alright. Not playing my ‘A’ game yet but I’m working on it right now and I know I’m on the right track,” added Panuphol, who has claimed one top-10 finish and three top-20 results in 11 starts on the Asian Tour to sit in 27th place on the Order of Merit.

Panuphol, nicknamed ‘Coconut’ by his parents, turned professional in 2007 at a young age of 14, He has never finished outside the top-60 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit since coming through the Qualifying School in 2011.

Qualifying School graduate Kosuke Hamamoto will be making his debut appearance in the Thailand Open. The Thai-Japanese has enjoyed a solid rookie season so far and is looking to translate his impressive form into a victory when he tees up at the Thai Country Club.

“It’s my first time playing the Thailand Open. I am very excited because it’s my National Open. The game’s been good. I know I just need to keep giving myself chances and stay patient. I have only played once on this course but I do have some memories here,” said Hamamato.

The 20-year-old Hamamoto has virtually kept his card for the 2020 season, thanks to two top-10 finishes in Chinese Taipei and Indonesia. He sits in 32nd place on the money list with a current haul of US$88,581.

Khun Rungsrid Luxsitanonda, President of Thailand Golf Association, hailed the return of the Thailand Open on the Asian Tour.

“We are delighted to sanction the Thailand Open with the Asian Tour once again this week. Working closely with the Asian Tour for a long time to grow the stature and prestige of the Thailand Open, the association has played a major role in developing the game of golf in Thailand and in the region. We are looking forward to another successful edition of the Thailand Open this week,” said Rungsrid.

The president added that because of its long history, this prestigious tournament has always been attracting the players both Thais and foreigners, who are vying for the coveted trophy graciously offered by the late King Rama IX. With that, this annual tournament has become much more competitive and it serves as another stage for the golfers to hone their skills and promote the country dubbed The Golf Factory.

“Someone says that Thailand is a golf factory in the region and I believed that the association has been part in supporting the factory,” he added.

John Blanch, General Manager of the Thai Country Club, also lauded the staging of the event and said, “We are honoured to be hosting the event for the third straight year. We are glad to welcome back the Asian Tour stars and officials this week. Our staff have also been working very hard to ensure our course is in optimum condition so that we can provide a quality test to the players.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Asian Tour, expressed his appreciation to Thai Golf Association and Thai Country Club for their outstanding support over the past few years.

“I would like to express our gratitude to the Thailand Golf Association and the Thai Country Club for their outstanding commitment and support. Their valuable contributions have been instrumental in strengthening professional golf across Asia. We hope the staging of the Thailand Open will continue to inspire the younger generation of players,” said Cho.

The Thailand Open will also kick off the third edition of the Asian Tour’s 2019/20 Panasonic Swing, which is a ranking based on an aggregate points race that spans five events with the final top-three players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.

The US$300,000 full-field event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Thailand Golf Association, will feature a talented field of 144 players from 20 countries with no fewer than 65 local players and 40 Tour champions vying for top honours.

American John Catlin, who claimed three victories in 2018, will aim for more glory when he returns for his first event on the region’s premier Tour since May. He will headline the Kingdom’s National Open alongside defending champion Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand.

Newly crowned Asian Tour champion Suradit Yongcharoenchai will also be part of the 65-man strong local contingent who will be fighting to become the sixth Thai player to lift the coveted trophy on home soil.

Panuphol won by one shot for his second Asian Tour title last year and became the fifth Thai player after Suthep Meesawat (1991), Boonchu Ruangkit (1992 and 2004), Prayad Marksaeng (2013) and Rattanon Wannasrichan (2017) to win the prestigious tournament.

The 28-year-old Catlin, who was named the 2018 Players’ Player of the Year thanks to his outstanding breakout year, said: “I am excited to get back to the Asian Tour. Thailand has been my home for three years now so to be back for the National Open feels awesome. It’s been a great year for me, earning starts on the PGA Tour and the European Tour.

“I have gained a lot of confidence from the halfway cuts that I made. There are a lot of great players on the Asian Tour and to win three times last year showed me that the work my coach and I have put in over the last five years is the right stuff,” he added.

Other notable players set to feature in the 2019 Thailand Open include India’s SSP Chawrasia and Shiv Kapur, who claimed his first Asian Tour victory at the Thai Country Club in 2005, as well as Indonesia’s Rory Hie and Miguel Carballo of Argentina, who have both secured their maiden wins on Tour this season.

Players will have added motivation to do well at the Thailand Open as the event will kick start the 2019/20 Panasonic Swing, which is a ranking based on an aggregate point race that spans five events with the final top-three players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.

Past champions of the Thailand Open include India’s Jyoti Randhawa, China’s Liang Wen-chong and Chinese Taipei legends Hsieh Min-nan and Lu Liang-huan.

The Thailand Open is the seventh full-field event on the 2019 Asian Tour schedule. It is also the Tour’s first stop in Thailand this season.

Dorna Sports is delighted to announce Petronas as the official fuel supplier to Moto2™ and Moto3™ from 2020. The Malaysian oil and gas giant is one of the best-known brands in motorsport and a byword for sporting excellence, making them a perfect partner for the lightweight and intermediate classes in the MotoGP™ World Championship. The collaboration is set to run for three years until 2022.

As well as supplying two of the world’s most competitive classes of motorcycle racing with high-performance, high-quality fuel, this agreement also extends to track advertising, with the Petronas name set to get even more visibility across the globe throughout the MotoGP™ season.

Petronas is currently the Title and Technical Partner to Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team. Despite its rookie status, the Malaysian backed-team has proven a force to be reckoned with this season through the combination of Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo, with the latter having already secured five poles and six podiums for the team.

Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, President & Group CEO, Petronas: “Petronas is proud to come on board as the official fuel supplier of the Moto2™ and Moto3™ World Championships. This partnership is an extension of our successful collaboration with the Petronas Sepang Racing Team in MotoGP and marks a significant recognition of Pertronas’ Fluid Technology Solutions to provide efficient and high-performance products for the global motor racing arena. As a progressive energy and solutions partner, Petronas will continue to push forward technological innovation in the field of fuel and lubricants, in our commitment to continuously deliver innovative products with a competitive edge.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “It gives me great pleasure to announce this partnership with Petronas. Petronas is a brand synonymous with excellence and one of the best-recognised names in modern motorsport, so it makes me very proud to see them extend their presence in the MotoGP paddock even further. Petronas-backed teams in MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 already showcase the best of the brand, and we’re delighted the company will now also fuel some of the most spectacular racing on the planet from 2020.”

The Trophy Tour is a part of a club celebration after making football history by becoming the first English football club to lift six trophies across both its men’s and women’s teams in the same season.

Thailand is a key destination for Manchester City’s trophies and its last visit to the country was in June 2018, where club player Aymeric Laporte took a selection of trophies to Bangkok and met with fans in the city.

On Tuesday 5 November, Manchester City will be at Chiang Mai United Arena from 5pm – 8pm and fans are invited to turn up and take photos with the prestigious silverware.

Club legend, Shaun Wright-Phillips, who made 275 appearances for the Club, scoring 47 goals, between 1996 – 2005 and 2008 – 2011, will then accompany the trophies in Bangkok for a series of exciting fan activities.

On Sunday 10 November, a free family-friendly football festival will be taking place from 12pm at the Skykick Arena. As well as being able to have their photos with the trophies, fans will be able to win prizes, feature in a green-screen player walk out experience and be part of a Q & A session with Wright-Phillips. From 9.30pm, Skykick Arena will be transformed into a match day screening party as City take on rivals Liverpool in a highly anticipated Premier League fixture. Fans at the CityLive! event will get to hear Shaun Wright-Phillips match analysis, plus there’ll be exclusive giveaways and chances to win player signed shirts.

Nuria Tarre, Chief Marketing Officer at City Football Group, commented: “We’re excited to have the men’s and women’s trophies on tour at the same time. This is a football first and we can’t wait to celebrate our historic success with fans in Thailand. The tour will bring an authentic City experience to Chiang Mai and Bangkok, allowing those fans who would never get to travel to Manchester the chance to experience the club they love closer than ever and right in their hometowns.”

One of the highlights of the Trophy Tour, supported locally by Rexona, is an immersive fan experience that is modelled to look like the home dressing room at the Etihad Stadium, giving fans who would never get to visit Manchester the chance to experience the excitement of a City matchday.

Manchester City has also supported a number of community initiatives in Thailand, as part of its global community work. In 2017, City partnered with the Not Just For Kicks project in Bangkok which saw Young Leaders rehabilitate play spaces to teach football to young people in their community and provide them with life skills to encourage positive life choices. Since the inception of the project, more than 1,200 at risk youths have been supported.

In 2018, City coaches and former players put on training sessions for the Wild Boar football players, before helping the community tackle local water accessibility challenges by building a clean drinking water tower with the Xylem team in the Chiang Rai province.

Fans can keep up to date at www.mancity.com/trophytour and via the Club’s Cityzens platform and can sign-up to CityLive now at www.mancity.com/citylivebangkok