For the seventh time in as many rounds, the University of Southern California alumna signed for a score in red numbers with a 1-under par 71 on Pinehurst Course No. 9. The steady performance gives her the 126-hole outright advantage by three strokes at 19-under overall.

“I think it’s all about adapting, but definitely the conditions were quite different today dropping, I don’t know, 20 degrees or something like that,” said He, who saw her bogey-free streak end at 51 holes with a bogey on the par-5 15th. “It’s funny because walking up to that hole I was thinking about it which proves I shouldn’t be overthinking. I came up just short and got caught in the rough, was hard for me to stand. I still stayed committed to my shot and it was just a little bit of bad luck.”

Hee Young Park (Seoul, Republic of Korea) stayed right in the hunt for medalist honors with an even par 72 highlighted by three birdies. Rounding out the final pairing off No. 1 tee tomorrow at 11:23 a.m. ET is Yealimi Noh (Concord, California) at 12-under overall, making it the same trio for the last group again.

“Very important with [LPGA Priority List] ranking and first, second, third place, but this is not about who is going to win this event,” Park said. “I want to keep my card and get done with this golf tournament is my goal. I’m really happy with little less pressure than any other girls so far and am going to keep playing safe. Fairways, greens, and if I make the par I’m just really happy with that every single hole.”

NOH EAGER TO PROVE HERSELF WITH A SPOT ON TOUR

As morning temperatures dropped into the mid-30s in Pinehurst, N.C., 18-year-old Yealimi Noh drew on past experiences to find a consistent tempo. It worked in her favor as Noh went 1-under par 71 in round seven at LPGA Q-Series to head into the final day in solo third.

“I had three jackets on, pants, skirt and then obviously golf-wise it wasn’t going as far,” said Noh, who posted four birdies and three bogeys. “It was pretty soft from the rain yesterday [evening]. It was a lot of yardage, like it was shorter, so I had to take more club and it was really different.”

Much of the last year has felt like a marathon for the young professional. Noh hoped performances like a top-10 finish in the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic and runner-up at the Cambia Portland Classic would land her an exemption directly to Q-Series courtesy of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Instead, she is No. 105, a minimum of 40 spots away from avoiding Stage II of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament.

“I’m actually really thankful that I was able to play in Florida and the first three days were really like a rollercoaster for me,” said Noh, referring to her final round 7-under par 65 at Stage II which secured her place in Q-Series. “I was on the edge of like really far from making it and coming back on the last day just showed me how tough I was mentally. Really, I surprised myself a little, too. Now I kind of know what to do when I feel so much pressure and stuff like that. It really helped me.”

Noh is excited to see what is in store for next year because of the qualifying process, but knows she will not feel any relief until tomorrow is through.

“I’m just so excited,” Noh said. “It’s not over until it’s really over. Want to play steady and patient, don’t have to win or anything. There is a big lead, but just need to play my game and get through tomorrow.”

PERRY’S PERFORMANCE A MEANINGFUL STEP IN JOURNEY

She first gained LPGA Tour membership by ending tied for 14th at the 2016 LPGA Qualifying Tournament Final Stage, but Katherine Perry (Cary, North Carolina) is much more than a three-year veteran hoping to play her way back to the big stage through Q-Series.

Perry is a University of North Carolina graduate and Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour alumna, having won nine titles on the junior circuit based out of the Triad region of North Carolina. Furthermore, she earned 2012 All-ACC honors for the Tar Heels. Those experiences during her amateur career provided a support system for growth in the sport that runs deep as the roots she has planted in the Tar Heel State.

“It’s a great tour, still the only of its kind where it is all girls,” said Perry. “I went from playing in fields of 5-10 girls, to 30-40 and now it is up to 90 sometimes for them. I think the model is great because they don’t do it by age, but skill level. You can have a 17-year-old still in the lower skill level, so I think it’s good that way. It all really helped. My coach from college, assistant coach, current assistant all came out today and having my coach [Robert Linville] here every day was huge, he actually started the PKBGT.”

One of four tied for 13th in Q-Series at 4-under par overall, Perry is now 18 holes away from a full-time return to the LPGA. The nostalgia of where she could accomplish the feat, at Pinehurst Resort, is on her mind down every fairway and around each green.

“I played so many junior tournaments down here, so it is fun to come back and remember those times,” Perry said. “How much fun that was and how much I’ve grown since then. Being here with my parents and really the whole support system makes me realize there is more outside of golf. Tomorrow it’ll hit a little bit more.”

48 PLAYERS AT 5-OVER PAR OR BETTER

Competing in a total of eight rounds over two, four-day segments, the top-45 finishers and ties at LPGA Q-Series presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina receive Category 14 membership on the LPGA Tour Priority List for 2020. Individuals in that range, but outside the top-20 and ties also earn Category C status on the Symetra Tour.

With the seventh round in the books and only 18 holes remaining, a total of 48 individuals sit at 5-over par or better while 21 players are 2-under or better. Furthermore, the unofficial purse of $150,000 is set to be distributed at event’s completion.

NOTABLE QUOTES

Hee Young Park (-16, 2nd) on nearing the end of Q-Series:

“I don’t want to prepare anymore for Q-Series because this is too much pressure, making me and a lot of girls nervous with lot of mistakes coming out. I trained really hard, refreshed. The beginning of the year was not that great, but after I prepared and played the season, my mind is stronger and game is back.”

 Albane Valenzuela (-8, T5) on her mother flying in for the final round:

“I love having my family around and definitely a great surprise. She was going to be alone this weekend at home because my brother is competing as well, so it’s great that’s she’s here. I haven’t seen her since school started, so it’s great to have everyone.”

 Haley Moore (-6, T8) on a 3-under par 69 for one of the low rounds of the day:

“I concluded with a birdie-birdie finish. I was getting close out there, had a lot of opportunities that just weren’t going in. I was just staying patient out there because conditions were better today. Just a little chilly, so we knew that it would be a little bit of a battle out there with the wind.”

 Lauren Kim (-6, T8) on rebounding early in her round and battling frigid conditions:

“Well, for one, I had a horrible start, so I was just trying to get my head right after the first four holes or so. I was 3-over after that and finished 1-under so pretty happy with the way I played overall, but it was freezing this morning. We were bundled up and you can’t swing as fast, the ball doesn’t go as straight. It just magnifies misses when it’s that cold and you’re trying to play to pins that aren’t the easiest. The pins were not by any means easy today. A lot of factors combined made it a little tougher.”

PLAYER NOTES

Muni He

• He, 20, is a native of Chengdu, China
• University of Southern California alumna
• Played 21 events as a Symetra Tour rookie in 2018, advancing to the weekend 16 times earning two top-10s and her first professional title at inaugural Prasco Charity Championship
• Finished T27 at inaugural LPGA Q-Series to earn Priority List Category 14 status for 2019 LPGA season
• Career-best finish on the LPGA Tour is T27 at the 2019 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational with playing partner P.K. Kongkraphan
• Made eight cuts in 19 events on the big stage in 2019 as a rookie with her highest result in stroke play being T35 at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open

MI JUNG HUR TAKES ONE SHOT LEAD OVER NELLY KORDA IN CHINESE TAIPEI

Hur cooled off a bit with just two birdies after No. 6 but will take a one stroke lead into the weekend at the Miramar Golf Country Club at 12-under par. Defending champion Nelly Korda stayed patient on Friday en route to a bogey-free 67 to sit just one shot back.

“All I was thinking about is trying to get to double digits because I know MJ is playing really well,” Korda said. “I’m just trying to give myself a chance to go into the weekend. My shots around the green were good and it’s definitely tough out here today. Still a lot of golf to be played but definitely excited.”

Korda is looking for her second LPGA win of the 2019 season and third of her young career, while veteran Hur is looking to make a third trip to the winner’s circle this year.

In-Kyung Kim’s second-round 65 is her best round since the second round of the ANA Inspiration in March, and she sits T3 along with Minjee Lee just two strokes off Hur’s lead. After a blustery and rainy Thursday, Kim said the sunshine was much welcomed on Friday even with the on-and-off wind gusts.

“Just comfortable day with the weather compared to, you just don’t know what to expect,” Kim said. “I didn’t hit the ball pretty solid over the last few days. Yeah, par 5s were a little reachable today. Coming in, some of the par 4 with the downwind was quite challenging, but other than that, pleased with how I play….Really one shot at a time because the wind is on and off. You can’t really be too tough on yourself. Obviously it’s just a little bit of timing, as well.”

Brooke Henderson fired the lowest score of the tournament on Friday, a bogey-free 8-under par 64, to head into the weekend tied for fifth with Su Oh at -9.

HUR’S LUCKY CHARM AT WORK AGAIN

Mi Jung Hur married Kevin Wang (Korean name: Teh Yih) in January of 2018. Since then the 10-year LPGA veteran says she has played more freely and generally has been happier on and off the golf course. That happiness has translated into a successful 2019 season for Hur, with two wins and eight other top-20 finishes.

Hur holds a one-stroke advantage through two rounds at the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA, with her husband and parents in the gallery. Kevin rarely gets to attend LPGA events, however, he has been at both of her wins this year and Hur joked that he might have to come every week as her good luck charm.

“Yeah, there’s a little bit of pressure with my family,” Hur said. “The whole family are here. But they were there last week, as well, so getting used to it. Just try to do my best…Actually, he [her husband] travelled with me I think six times for this year now. I’ve got two wins, and everybody is saying he’s the lucky charm, so I look forward to this weekend, as well.”

On the course, the weather hasn’t been as extreme as what Hur conquered during her win at the 2019 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, but she said she is enjoying the advantage she has playing in the wind.

“Actually my ball flight is pretty low. I hit shots pretty low,” Hur explained. “I practiced a lot of lower shots, like a punch shot during The Scottish Open, and even this week, as well, because there is so much wind and rain, as well. It helps me a lot, because if you have into the wind with a 7-iron, you have to have a 5-iron in your hands here. A lot of players try to fit the wind; me, as well, but me, I think my ball can help in a hurting wind because it’s so low.”

HENDERSON FIRES ROUND OF THE WEEK

Brooke Henderson started her second round off with a birdie, and kept it rolling from there for a bogey-free second-round 64, the lowest round of the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA thus far. The 22-year-old Canadian said the highlight of her round Friday was stuffing a 3-wood from 225-yards to five feet for an eagle on No. 12. Henderson began the second round five strokes off the lead and ended it just three shots back.

“I had a great day going and made a lot of birdies,” Henderson said. “It was a lot of fun. Felt like Britt and I were judging the wind really well and hitting great shots, which is always great. To finish out making a few putts was really nice.”

After a disappointing opening-round 71, Henderson enjoyed the challenge of catching up to the front-runners on Friday.

“I love seeing my name near the top of the leaderboard and trying to chase down the leaders, I was trying to go low today and make something happen. Just trying to chase some birdies.”

The Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA will mark Henderson’s last event until the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, and she said she’s looking for a nice finish this week to cap off her Asia swing.

“It’s been really awesome,” Henderson said of the Asia swing. “It’s really fun and it’s such an amazing experience to come over here to China and Korea and here in Taiwan. Been able to sight see a little bit, too, which is really cool. We’re excited to go back to Florida next week, but we’ve really enjoyed it. It would be really nice to finish off strong this week.”

With a passionate home crowd backing him at the Sheshan International Golf Club, Li did not disappoint them as he mixed his card with seven birdies, one eagle and a bogey to take a one-shot advantage over France’s Victor Perez.

Li gave his fans a lot to cheer about when he opened with two birdies on 10 and 11 in his back-nine 10. 

After making three more birdies on holes 14, 17 and 18, he dropped his only shot of the day on the par-four first before providing one of the loudest cheers of the day with his eagle on the second hole.

The Chinese then added two more birdies on the third and eighth hole to stake his place atop the leaderboard after the first round.

Perez, who is making his WGC debut after claiming his maiden European Tour victory in Scotland last month, carded two eagles en route to a 65 while defending champion Xander Schauffele of the United States was tied for fourth with Korea’s Sungjae Im, Australia’s Adam Scott and England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick. 

Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand signed for a 70 to start his maiden WGC appearance in tied-26th place, six shots back of Li.

Co-hosts Honda Automobile (Thailand) and IMG announced the plans on Thursday (October 31), linking the event to the government’s strategy of promoting sport tourism and aiming to be “the most sustainable golf tournament in Thailand”.

“Honda believes in ‘the Power of Dreams’,” said chief operating officer Pitak Pruittisarikorn. “We would like to encourage everyone to pursue and realise their dreams and have always believed that anyone can achieve great success if they are determined.

The 70 golfers in the event will included 56 professionals from the 2020 LPGA Priority List and the winners of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, ISPS Handa Vic Open, ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers and Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship, all being held prior to the Honda LPGA Thailand, as well as eight invited players.

“Thai golfer Atthaya ‘Jean’ Thitikul won the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific in 2018,” said Pitak. “We hope that, next year, Thai fans will continue to enjoy golf and cheer for their favourites.

“Last year we had continuous success and saw an increase in charity and funding throughout the tournament from our Charity Night and activities such as Beat-the-Pro and Chip-4-Charity, which allowed the spectators to play a part in the fundraising initiatives. The proceeds collected have gone to local communities and schools to improve the learning environment of children, as well as the Siriraj Foundation.”

Wiboon Champangeun of the Sports Authority of Thailand noted that the coming Summer Olympics in Tokyo will feature golf events for both men and women. “We hope the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 will be used as a platform for Thai female golfers to fine-tune their skills in preparation for the Olympics,” he said.

Honda and the Sports Authority will again arrange “Road to Honda LPGA Thailand” events leading up to the tournament designed to further develop golf in Thailand as a whole.

It starts with the Young Ambassadors Programme in December, catering to students who have an interest in golf and sports management. Selected students will stand a chance of obtaining an internship abroad to work on more international golf events.

There will also be the National Qualifiers in January at Siam Country Club Pattaya, the winner of which will play in the Honda LPGA Thailand.

During tournament week, there will also be a Golf Leaders Conference to further equip industry experts with the knowledge and expertise needed for hosting international golf tournaments, and the Honda LPGA Thailand Junior Golf Clinic coached by pro golfers.

Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronnakij Ekasingh said the city “is well prepared to host the Honda LPGA Thailand again” and the Siam Country Club Pattaya “is filled with excellent courses and is listed in Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses list for 2018”.

“And we have five-star hotels and resorts, fine restaurants and beautiful tourist attractions.”

Tanes Petsuwan of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said the agency wants to “grow the sport of golf and sport tourism to boost Thailand’s reputation worldwide and attract more high-spending visitors to the country from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as Europe and the US”.

“Last year we welcomed 38 million foreign tourists, among whom 470,000 were golf tourists who generated Bt6.3 billion in tourism income. We are proud that Thailand has over 300 golf courses of the highest standard and quality to welcome visitors. We also have Ariya ‘May’ Jutanugarn and Moriya ‘Mo’ Jutanugarn as brand ambassadors to help promote Thailand and inspire our next generation of golfers.”

Early-bird tickets cost 20 per cent less and are available now and all through November at www.hondalpgathailand.com. VIP tickets with access to the clubhouse are also available on the website.

This year, 9 MCOT HD Channel 30 will broadcast all four days of the competition. Check out www.facebook.com/lpgaThailand.

The world number 59 is under no illusion it will be an easy task with the star-studded field glittered by 10 of the world’s top-20 players at the Sheshan International Golf Club this week.

However, Li believes that with many Chinese players making several eye-catching performances worldwide recently, it is possible to harbour bold ambitions and make that breakthrough at the season’s final World Golf Championships event which is also the only WGC event to be staged in Asia.

South Africa’s Justin Harding is meanwhile hoping to recover from his mini slump where he has missed the cut in three of his last five events.

Harding, a two-time Asian Tour winner, started the year promisingly with a win in Qatar followed by a creditable tied-12 finish at The Masters Tournament where he was making his debut.

However, the South African’s form has been erratic in the last few months which he now hopes to correct and end the year on a high note.

Like Harding, Australia’s Scott Hend is also looking for consistency after lifting his 10th Asian Tour title in Malaysia earlier this year.

Hend has not reached similar heights since his success in March, struggling to lift his game since making changes to his game.

Did you know?

• Li Haotong is making his seventh appearance at the tournament with his best finish coming in 2010 where he finished a tie for seventh.
• Li turned professional in 2011 and captured his first title in 2014 at the Jianye Tianzhu Henan Open.
• The Chinese has three top-10 finishes, including a tied ninth place finish at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play this year.
• Justin Harding made his WGC-HSBC Champions debut last year where he finished tied-46th.
• He started the year strongly with a win at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in March, followed by a tied-second finish in Kenya the following week.
• Harding posted a tied-12th result in his debut at the Masters Tournament.
• Justin Harding won his first Asian Tour title in his first start on the 2018 Asian Tour season with his win in Indonesia in July last year. He immediately took up the Tour membership after his victory.
• Harding later claimed a six-shot victory in Thailand to become the first player since 2011 to win back-to-back titles on the Asian Tour.
• The South African ended his 2018 Asian Tour season in third place on the Order of Merit.
• Scott Hend won his 10th Asian Tour title at the Maybank Championship in March.
• He is the first Australian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2016
• All of Hend’s wins have come in Asia.
• Hend is the fourth player after Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng to obtain 10 wins or more on the Asian Tour.
• Hend held the number one spot on the Asian Tour Order of Merit for 13 weeks before being dislodged by Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond after the Thai won the Kolon Korea Open in June.
• Hend’s best result at the WGC-HSBC Champions is tied-19th in 2015.

LPGA READY FOR NINTH EDITION OF TAIWAN SWINGING SKIRTS LPGA

The event marks the third stop of the Tour’s Asia swing, and is the 30^th official event of the LPGA season.

The Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA will host 81 of the world’s best female golfers, led by World No. 1 and newly announced Rolex Player of the Year Jin Young Ko. Ko and defending champion No. 8 Nelly Korda are two of 16 players in the top 20 of the Rolex Rankings in the field.

Other notable players in the field include 2019 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Jeongeun Lee6, 2019 AIG Women’s British Open winner Hinako Shibuno and multiple 2019 tournament winners Hannah Green, Brooke Henderson, Mi Jung Hur, Sei Young Kim and Sung Hyun Park.

The field consists of 62 LPGA Members, ranked in the order of their position on the 2019 LPGA Official Money List through the 2019 Volunteers of America Classic; 10 TLPGA Members, as determined by the TLPGA; and nine sponsor invitations.

KORDA READY TO DEFEND FIRST LPGA TITLE

One year ago, Nelly Korda’s life changed. At the 2018 Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA, Korda shot a 4-under 68 to maintain her 54-hole lead and pull clear of the field to capture her first LPGA Tour title. With big sister Jessica watching from home, it was a memorable week that kickstarted the 21-year-olds LPGA career.

Since that day, Korda has added a win at the 2019 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open along with 10 top-10 finishes including two runner-up finishes to her growing resume. This is a week of reflection for Korda, as she looks back on her maiden title and sets her sights on a successful title defense.

“Super special,” Korda said about being back at the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA. “To be honest it was a dream week. I couldn’t have dreamt of a better week. I think seeing all my friends, even on the side of the green coming up 18, I got super emotional. I just told myself, “Okay, don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.” It was an emotional Sunday and I was just super happy to get that first win under my belt.”

While playing at a different course than the site of her maiden LPGA victory, Korda likes her chances at the Miramar Golf Country Club where she finished T17 as a rookie in 2017.

“I like it a lot,” Korda said of the course. “It’s bermudagrass, so it’s kind of what I grew up on in Florida, and it’s usually really windy and rainy here, so you never know. But I definitely like the setup of the golf course. I think it fits my game quite well, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Korda will tee off the first round on Thursday at 10:35 a.m. with Jin Young Ko and hometown favorite Wei-Ling Hsu off the first tee.

ROLEX PLAYER OF THE YEAR KO NOT DONE YET

With three events remaining on the 2019 LPGA Tour schedule, the LPGA announced on Sunday that Jin Young Ko has earned the 2019 Rolex Player of the Year award for the first time in her career. She leads the Player of the Year standings with 241 points, 118 points over 2019 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Jeongeun Lee6, and cannot be caught.

This week at the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA, Ko said she was really thankful to have won the Rolex Player of the Year honor but that she still has goals she wants to accomplish this year.

When looking at her 2019 resume, it’s hard to believe there’s much left on the World No. 1’s list of goals.

The Republic of Korea native already secured the 2019 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award after winning the ANA Inspiration and The Evian Championship and finishing third at the AIG Women’s British Open. She has won four times with eight additional top-10 finishes, including three runner-up performances. In 20 starts in 2019, Ko has made every cut and has yet to finish outside the top 30.

On Tuesday at the Miramar Golf Country Club, Ko said that her goal for this week is the same as it has been every week: to be the happiest golfer on the course.

“First of all: enjoy,” Ko said. “Like happy, always to be happy on the golf course. And second one, like hit straight, driver, iron, everything. And then make 1- putt. I will try. I will try.”

Not to get ahead of herself, Ko also has her eyes on the CME Group Tour Championship. Specifically, she said she’d like to end her 2019 season with the $1.5 million first-place prize, the largest single payout in women’s golf history.

“Really, really good prize money, CME, so I can’t lose,” Ko said. “I can’t lose after this week. So I will keep trying hard more, and then I will try. I will try to win or better. Try my best.”

Ko also leads the Tour in multiple statistical categories with three events remaining. She ranks first on the Official Money List ($2,714,281), leads the Race to the CME Globe (4,148 points), is No. 1 in scoring average (68.933), tops the Tour in greens in regulation (79.7%) and has the most top-10 finishes this season (12).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TAIWAN SWINGING SKIRTS LPGA

• This week marks the ninth playing of the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA
• The Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA is the third event in the LPGA’s fall Asia Swing, following events in the People’s Republic of China and Republic of Korea – after this week only two events remain on the LPGA schedule with a stop in Japan before the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Fla.
• Previously, the event was played at Sunrise Golf & Country Club from 2011-13, made one stop at the Ta Shee Golf & Country Club in 2017 and has been held at Miramar Golf and Country Club from 2014-17 and again in 2019
• The field consists of 62 LPGA Members, 10 TLPGA Members, and nine sponsor invitations
• Four past champions are in the field: Nelly Korda (2018), Eun-Hee Ji (2017), Lydia Ko (2015), Inbee Park (2014)
• There are five amateurs in the field this week playing on sponsor invitations: Yu-Sang Hou (a), Huai-Chien Hsu (a), Ho Yu An (a), Hsin-Yu Lu (a), Rose Zhang (a)

RACE TO THE CME GLOBE UPDATE

Heading into the 30th week of the 2019 Race to the GME Globe, four-time winner Jin Young Ko leads the standings with 4,148 points. Two-time 2019 winner Brooke Henderson is second with 2,772 points, followed by Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Jeongeun Lee6 with 2,652 points.

The 2019 season brings a fresh face to the Race to the CME Globe. LPGA Members will accumulate points at each official LPGA Tour event leading up to the CME Group Tour Championship. The top 60 points earners and ties will then earn a spot in the CME Group Tour Championship, with the entire field competing for the $5 million purse and the $1.5 million winner’s check, the largest single prize in the history of women’s golf.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

81 players; 72 holes, stroke play, no cut

PURSE

$2.2 million USD; winner’s portion is $330,000

AON RISK REWARD CHALLENGE HOLE

No. 8, par 4

Sandy Kraokaew Stuvik started the weekend with a 19-point gap to leaders Henk Kiks and Daniel Bilski in the other B-Quik Audi R8 GT3 Evo.

Friday afternoon’s qualifying sessions decided the starting positions for the races, Sandy went out in Qualifying 1 where he managed to finish on Pole Position, a crucial benefit to the Thai driver’s bid for the Championship.

Martin Rump, Sandy’s teammate again this season went out in Qualifying 2 and also took a dominant Pole Position, only to have it later taken away for track limits infringements. Nonetheless, the duo in the #2 B-Quik Audi R8 GT3 Evo proved that the new car was a worthy investment for the team.

Sandy started Race 1 on Saturday from Pole Position and after a good start, the Thai driver started to open a gap to the rest of the field. When the pit-stop window opened, Sandy had amassed a healthy lead. He handed over to his Estonian teammate who drove a fantastic closing stint to finish the race nearly half a minute ahead of second place.

“That was an incredible race and I think it’s truly a testament to how hard everybody in the team has worked to get the car setup perfectly, it was a pleasure to drive!” Sandy said after the race.

Sunday saw the Thailand Super Series race for the final time this year. Martin Rump started second on the grid, and when the race started the Estonian driver did well to hang on the second place and began hunting down the leading #34 Ferrari. When the pit-stop window opened, Rump handed over to his Thai teammate who then set off half a minute off the lead after the duo’s success penalty from yesterday’s win.

An accident occurred just after the pit-stop window closed which prompted a safety car, tightening up the pack. Sandy was in 4th position at this point and would win the championship if he just finished the race. Unfortunately the #26 B-Quik car was involved in the accident, so Sandy only needed 5 points to secure the title. When the safety car came in, Sandy got to work and passed 3rd and 2nd positions, with the leading #34 Ferrari still leading by a healthy margin. As Sandy started the final lap the Ferrari was over 2 seconds ahead, but Sandy kept the pressure on and was right on the tail of the Ferrari by the last few corners.

Sandy made an outstanding move for the lead on the outside of the penultimate corner and managed to elbow his way past and into the lead just before the line. The team was ecstatic. Bur despite Sandy’s sensational move, the stewards gave him a penalty for the risky overtake which put him back to second position.

“It feels unbelievable to win the Championship, and it still hasn’t sunken in yet. I want to thank everybody who was a part of the incredible journey which this year has been. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store, but now I just want to enjoy this Championship,” said Sandy after the race.

B-Quik Racing are the 2019 TSS Team’s Champions, Henk and Daniel Bilski claimed the AM Championship, and Sandy Kroakaew Stuvik took the overall Driver’s Championship.