The broadcasting rights of the EPL in Thailand are owned by TrueVisions Group Co Ltd, which has re-sold the rights to PPTV HD for another three seasons, said Surin Krittiyapongphan, PPTV’s president, said.

“We are delighted that PPTV fans will be able to watch the EPL for another three seasons,” he said, adding that 30 matches will be televised live per season.

“And this year fans will be able to watch the important matches on PPTV.”

That includes matches between West Ham and Manchester City on August 10, Arsenal and Burnley on August 17, Norwich City and Chelsea on August 24, and Southampton and Manchester United on August 31.

PPTV HD has been broadcasting the EPL for the four seasons since 2015-16, but the matches shown were not significant ones.

Salas, a 20-year-old from Cyprus who has been training at the Phetchyindee Academy for several years, earlier defeated Singthongnoi Por Telakul in the previous round, dominating his Thai opponent throughout the fight.

However, the 38-year-old Lerdsila, dubbed “Eel on Skates”, is a veteran with over two decades of experience and 225 fights to his credit. In the One Championship, he had earlier defeated three younger fighters consecutively.

“I have been seriously watching Lerdsila’s tapes and I got to admit that he is faster than others and although he is not young anymore, he has plenty of strength,” Salas said.

The Cypriot fighter said he has been training hard.

“I have been training for months for this fight, especially with knee techniques,” he said. “I am confident that I will be able to use my stamina and longer reach to tame Lerdsila’s fluency.

“My goal is to become the world champion in this division and nothing will stop me,” Salas, who owns an impressive 31-0-1 record, stressed.

However, Lerdsila has been beating younger boxers on a regular basis. Among his victims are Sok Tee of Cambodia and Kohei “Momotaro” Kodera of Japan.

“He is coming strong, a young and optimistic fighter with a long reach and dangerous elbows,” Lerdsila commented on his next opponent. “But he has never confronted a classic fighter like me who is able to use all sorts of weaponry against him. As each day passes, I am more confident of teaching him a lesson about what fighting with skills and brains is all about.

“He will remember my ‘Eel on Skates’ nickname for a long time,” the veteran fighter said.

A large number of Thai fighters are taking part in the championship, including Phetdum Phetchyindee Academy, Stamp Fairtex, Jai Natthavuth, Muangthai P.K. Saenchai Muaythai Gym and Bangphlinoi Petchyindee Academy.

Thai EPL fans can view football matches on TrueVisions pay TV channels, websites, the TrueID application on smart phones and TrueID Box. To expand the channel for viewers, TrueVisons allows PPTV channel 36 to broadcast 30 selected EPL matches on its terrestrial, satellite and cable systems as well as IPTV box, but will still restrict broadcasting programmes on OTT system and smartphones applications

TrueVisions also re-emphasises that live broadcast of EPL matches via OTT and applications on smartphones is against the existing intellectual property laws and that TrueVisions is fully obliged to protect and supervise the copyrights concerning EPL broadcast activities to prevent possible termination of signal transmission by EPL copyright owners, which will affect Thai EPL fans, who will consequently be not able to watch EPL matches – the world’s most popular sport event of the year.

Lee6 did admit she’s feeling a bit tired this week as she is set to make her 10th start in the last 12 weeks.

“It’s been kind of hard lately because I’ve been playing so many tournaments in a row,” Lee6, who has four top-10 finishes in her last nine starts, said. “My condition is all right, but you know, I’m going to try my best as I can this week and play well.”

After missing just her second cut in 16 starts of the 2019 season at The Evian Championship, Lee6 went searching for inspiration. She found it just across Lake Geneva at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, which she said reaffirmed her dedication towards her goal of making the Republic of Korea’s team in 2020.

As for her goals for the immediate future? After making her maiden LPGA victory a major win at the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, Lee6 has set her sights on consistent play for the rest of the year.

“So my goal right now, I don’t want to miss a cut the rest of the tournaments. And I’d like to win another tournament.”

Lee6 will tee off the first round in Scotland at 7:55 a.m. off the 10th tee along with fellow major champions Ariya Jutanugarn and Georgia Hall.

FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR TEAM EUROPE

The Aberdeen Standard Investments marks the final qualifying event before the 2019 European Solheim Cup team is announced at Gleneagles on Monday. As of the latest update, the three qualifiers off the Ladies European Tour points list are Carlota Ciganda, Caroline Hedwall and Ann van Dam. The five who qualify off the Rolex Rankings are Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Azahara Munoz, Caroline Masson and Anna Nordqvist. Ciganda is the only player that has been mathematically confirmed on the team.

Suzann Pettersen, set to be one of Captain Catriona Matthew’s vice captains in September, has recently expressed interest in playing in her ninth Solheim Cup. After partnering with Matthew at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, Pettersen is set to make her first independent LPGA start since 2017 this week.

“Obviously she’s got the experience there,” Matthew said of Pettersen. “I would say she’s looking good, actually. I think she’s looking confident. She putted well at the Dow. So it will be interesting to see how she did this week.”

Nordqvist, a five-time member of Team Europe, is feeling confident and said she’s looking forward to the qualification process being over.

“I feel pretty good,” Nordqvist said of her chances. “Obviously for a long time it’s been on my mind, and I’m kind of excited about the whole qualifying process because there’s so much talk about it, and everyone’s — I don’t know, there’s a lot of talk of who is going to make the team and there’s just a lot of speculation. I’m going to try to focus on my game this week and if I do well, I know I’ll be there.”

Masson is having a solid year making 17 of 18 cuts including a season-best T5 finish at the Marathon Classic, and this week she is looking to continue her consistent play to punch her ticket to her fourth Solheim Cup.

“You never know for sure,” Masson said of the opportunity to play for Matthew. “Things can still change this week, obviously, but yeah, I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot and playing well. Obviously I can help the team with experience and pretty good form, as well. Like I always say, I’ve been a pretty good team player I think. It’s always been a huge goal and it’s coming closer now, which is nice.”

Ladies European Tour star Carly Booth was hoping to make her Solheim Cup debut in her home country in September, but she’ll need a really strong finish to make a case for one of Matthew’s coveted picks.

“Unfortunately, I missed the cut last week, which means all the pressure is on this week to play well,” Booth said on Wednesday at The Renaissance Club. “I’m still hopeful, but if not, I tried my best. There’s always two years’ time, too. Of course, with it being at Gleneagles this year, it would have been pretty amazing to play.”

NORDQVIST BACK TO FORM IN SCOTLAND

Anna Nordqvist enters the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open fresh off a T11 finish at the AIG Women’s British Open, which was her first top-20 finish in a major championship since winning the 2017 Evian Championship. The Swede says she has been feeling good about the status of her golf game for the last few weeks but is relieved to have finally seen it translate to a good finish at the major championship finale.

“I think definitely it gives you a little bit more peace about the things you’re doing and you work on the right stuff,” Nordqvist said on Wednesday in North Berwick. “Hit it really well at Evian for two days. A couple bad breaks on the back nine, and missed the cut and you’re sitting out the weekend and that’s definitely not going to boost your confidence, especially when you’re hitting it good. It’s a fine line. But it’s just nice to see what I’ve been working on for a long time is starting to pay off a little bit.”

The eight-time LPGA winner and two-time major champion is expecting a good links challenge this week and will be looking for a solid finish to secure a place on her sixth Solheim Cup team.

“We walked the course yesterday. It’s crazy,” Nordqvist said of The Renaissance Club. “Some holes play really long and I think some of these greens, you’re supposed to have a long club into. It’s going to be tricky because just the way the greens are and especially if we get some wind. But it’s a good test.”

Nordqvist will tee off the first round at 7:44 a.m. off the 10th tee with Sei Young Kim and Hannah Green.

NOTABLE FIRST-ROUND GROUPINGS

Making her first solo start on the LPGA Tour since 2017, Suzann Pettersen will tee off the first round at 7:33 a.m. off the 10th tee alongside Solheim Cup hopefuls Anne van Dam and Celine Boutier

Ariya Jutanugarn will tee off the first round of her title defense at 7:55 a.m. playing alongside fellow major champions Georgia Hall and Jeongeun Lee6 off the 10th tee

2019 European Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew will tee off the first round at 1:04 p.m. off the first tee alongside Solheim Cup hopefuls Mel Reid and Caroline Hedwall

DESIGNATED HOLE FOR AON RISK REWARD CHALLENGE

The season-long Aon Risk Reward Challenge will highlight the world’s best professional golfers as they tackle the most strategically challenging holes across both the LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR schedules. The player from each Tour on top of the Aon leaderboard at the end of the regular season will receive a $1 million prize. The scoring system is identical on both the LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR, and players will take their best two scores from each Aon Risk Reward Challenge hole, with the winners having the best average score to par at the end of the season. Players must play a minimum of 40 rounds throughout the season. The Challenge runs across regular season tournaments (29 LPGA Tour; 36 PGA TOUR).

The designated Aon Risk Reward Challenge hole at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open is the 14th, a teasing par 4 which is potentially drivable depending on set-up. This hole usually plays into the prevailing wind. During tournament week, the 14th will initially be set at 338 yards, though it will likely play shorter and could come in at just 270 yards for at least one round. The green is extremely sloped with steep fall-offs front and back, placing a premium on a well-struck approach.

Heading into the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, Lee-Anne Pace leads the standings at -0.818, followed by Hyo Joo Kim at -0.750 and Ariya Jutanugarn and Carlota Ciganda at -0.722.

For more information about the Aon Risk Reward Challenge, visit https://www.lpga.com/statistics/aon-risk-reward-challenge.

STUART WRIGHT NOMINATED FOR AXA LPGA VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

The AXA LPGA Volunteer Service Award is a program launched in 2018 to recognize exemplary volunteers at each LPGA tournament. This week’s award recipient is Stuart Wright, who has contributed over 200 hours as a volunteer coordinator for both the men’s and ladies Scottish Opens.

After the 2019 season, the name of one AXA LPGA Volunteer Award recipient will be drawn in a random selection. That winning volunteer’s tournament charity will be awarded $10,000 on behalf of AXA. The 2019 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open supports Dementia UK.

For more information on the AXA LPGA Volunteer Service Award, visit: http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/axa-lpga-volunteer-service-award.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

156 players; 72 holes, stroke play; after 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 70 and ties

PURSE

$1.5 million USD; winner’s portion is $225,000

AON RISK REWARD CHALLENGE HOLE

It’s that time of year again: the time the hills come alive with the sound of KTM’s home race at the Red Bull Ring. So, of course, the only place to see and be seen ahead of the myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich is KTM’s home base in Mattighofen, and that’s exactly where Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Miguel Oliveira and Hafizh Syahrin (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Brad Binder, Jorge Martin and Can Öncu (Red Bull KTM Ajo) headed on Wednesday for a very different challenge.

Getting ready for a home race weekend means it’s all hands on deck, and the riders got a taste of the other side of the fence. How do the bikes go from factory floor to race ready and on track? It was time to find out as the squad swapped leathers for factory gear and got hands on.

With a little direction from boss Pit Beirer, the riders were tasked with taking over. Pol Espargaro got acquainted with aero and learned how to put on the fairings and change the front wheel, with teammate Zarco learning how to change the rear.

Oliveira, meanwhile, headed for the engine guys to get to know his machine inside out, with Syahrin tasked with loading the truck…and manoeuvring it out to get on the road. Just a few honks on the horn later, the Malaysian headed off into the sunset, albeit briefly.

Binder headed for WP to take a closer look at his front forks, getting his hands dirty and showing off a few skills, and sparks flew for teammate Martin, who got hands on with the welder. Öncu, meanwhile, was charged with coaxing some magic out of the 3D printer. (Not as easy as it looks).

Then each rider saddled up and got ready to race – a well-used phrase in these parts – before riding away from the factory on their choice of KTM, headed for Spielberg. All except Öncu, that was, who had to ride pillion with Brad Binder. One pro of being the youngest on the grid is breaking records, a definite con is not being allowed to ride on the road…

That road now leads to Spielberg and the Red Bull Ring, with the stunning track lying in wait for action to begin. Friday morning at 9:00 (GMT +2) is when the flag for practice drops and the talking stops, before race day for the myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich revs up on Sunday.

The hottest album of 2019 is about to drop! Top photo L-R: Zarco, Martin, Oliveira, Binder, Öncu, Espargaro and Syahrin

Pol Espargaro: “It’s been a pretty good year, for the moment I think we’ve done good races and qualifying, been in the top ten a lot of times and we’ve been in top positions a few times in qualifying and practice sessions. We’re developing the KTM quite well, getting into good positions and having fun in the races, and now we’re at our home GP which is so important and so nice.

“Last year I couldn’t race here, it was very frustrating waiting for that race the whole year and then having that huge crash just the race before, being in hospital watching the guys. So finally we’ll be there and with the KTM fans, I’m so happy to be there and try and do the best race possible, hopefully the best race of the season which is going to be difficult…but we’ll try!”

Johann Zarco: “I’m feeling happy at the moment, it’s always nice to come here to the factory. As a rider and loving the mechanical side of it, it’s always nice. And it gives you some extra motivation, because when you see this place and everyone working here, you feel maybe it’s possible to do even better. So I’m feeling good and I cross my fingers we’ll have a good weekend.”

Miguel Oliveira: “I’m super excited, it’s a home GP for us with KTM and Red Bull, all the bosses are going to be there! It’s definitely a nice moment in the project to put in a good result for them, we have a good army of orange KTMs up there on the grid and hopefully we’ll have a strong weekend.”

Hafizh Syahrin: “This is the second time I’ve been here, the first time was at the beginning of the season in winter, it was too cold and driving out it was full of snow! It’s great coming somewhere like here, we’ve done a lot with the other riders and I’ve enjoyed it. And we’ve seen how they make the bikes. I drove the truck out the factory and it was an amazing experience.”

Brad Binder: “It was super cool. It’s my fourth trip to the factory this year but it’s the first time I’ve really had to do anything! It was cool to see how everything works. So thanks to the guys for having us – or putting up with us – today!

“This is a big weekend for us, a huge weekend for the team, KTM and Red Bull, so obviously I want to get a great result for the guys. We’ve done a lot of hard work this year and they really deserve it, so looking into the weekend I hope to make it my best of the season so far.”

Squad goals: lining up outside the factory

Espargaro fits the front wheelSyahrin loads one of the Tech 3 machinesEven the lift is factory spec (L-R Zarco, Öncü, Binder and Oliveira)Martin wields his welderÖncü: that face when the 3D printer worksÖncü, Martin and Binder pose it outSyahrin’s truck takeoverBike: KTM, grin: model’s own

“Pro May Achariya/Tong/Sang” (Pro May genius/Must/Build) premiered at Paragon Cineplex on Tuesday (August 6).

Ariya, currently No 5 in the world standings, is playing in the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open.

“This movie is based on my life and my family, starting from my childhood, golf training and important events that took place,” she said in a message from Scotland. “Some additional scripts have been added by the writer and director in order to make it more entertaining to watch.”

“If it is 100 per cent about my life, it could be boring,” she said. “Some dialogues or scenes have been rewritten and it could appear a little violent in order to create some excitement. I would like everyone to open their hearts and watch this movie – I am sure everyone will get something [to take] back home.”

Krissanasiri “Chrissie” Suksawas plays Ariya while Ajchariya Popipitthanakorn plays her sister Moriya, and Thanes Warakulnukroh and Hathaya Wongkrajang play her parents. The movie is directed by Thanawat Eamjinda while the producers are Nonsee Nimitbutr and Panot Udom.

Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) Governor Kongsak Yodmanee was present at the premiere.

“This movie will create many benefits for Thai sports, not only for golf,” he said. “It will provide inspiration to Thai youth who will see the determination, discipline and obstacles Ariya had to face in order to become world No 1,” Kongsak said, adding that he wanted to see more movies that help inspire the youth to take up sports.

In partnership with True Corporation, Singha Corporation, CP All, AP Honda, CPF and Siam Makro, TrueVision Group has confirmed that fans can watch all 380 matches of the English top flight league in the 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons through their cable and satellite-operated channels.

Apart from watching matches through TrueVisions channels, fans can enjoy online activities, TrueSport networks and marketing campaigns as well as entertainment activities run throughout the country by the main sponsors.

“I can assure that this season, the fans will be extremely happy and excited watching the games. It will serve as a great experience for fans,” said Birathon Kasemsri, chief content and media officer of True Corporation, at a press conference on Wednesday.

“As the only network in Thailand to get the broadcast rights for live coverage of 380 matches [three seasons] and online broadcast including reruns and highlights through many platforms, I am sure the demands of the people and fans wishing to enjoy the coverage in different platforms at any time will be responded,” Birathon added.

Under the Omni Channel concept, fans can watch the coverage across many platforms including TrueVisions, True Premier Football HD, Truesport and TrueID Box. Moreover, the matches can be watched on the website or an application on smartphones.

A whole host of marketing campaigns will be conducted throughout the country during the next three seasons. Additionally, the More Extra Value package will be rolled out for the fans who want to get promotional prices.

The English Premier League 2019-20 season will kick off on August 9 when reigning European champions Liverpool host Norwich City at Anfield.

On August 10, Manchester City will start their campaign to become the first team to win the Premier League title for three consecutive seasons by taking on West Ham United in London.

Elsewhere on August 10, Bournemouth face Sheffield United while Southampton visit Burnley. Crystal Palace are up against Everton at Selhurst Park. At King’s Power stadium, Leicester City fight Wolverhampton. Tottenham Hotspur will play Aston Villa while Watford take on Brighton.

On August 11, Manchester United take on Chelsea with Frank Lampard going toe-to-toe against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford while Newcastle United take on Arsenal.

The 30-year-old qualified for THE NORTHERN TRUST, the US$9.25 million (Bt284.56 million) first of three Playoffs events starting on Thursday, after he finished in 76th position on the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup points list.

However, the joy of being amongst the best 125 PGA TOUR golfers at Liberty National Golf Club has been somewhat dampened by a lingering knee injury which he sustained last April.

“It’s been a frustrating season,” admitted Kiradech today (August 7). “At the halfway point, I was in the 40s on the FedExCup points list and looking at getting into the TOUR Championship. The knee injury slowed me down. Initially I didn’t think it was a big issue, but it kept getting worse. My practice has been cut down by more than 50 per cent as I’m trying to save myself for tournament play.”

Big-hitting Kiradech, the first Thai to hold a PGA TOUR card, needs to break into the top-70 of the points list to advance into next week’s BMW Championship. The best 30 will then tee up in the Playoffs Finale, the TOUR Championship, where a new FedExCup champion will be crowned and walk away with a cool $15 million bonus.

“I’ll take it one shot at a time. The goal is to get into next week. Top-30 may be difficult,” said Kiradech. “Even if I was fully fit, it’s not easy against the best players – what’s more, being just half fit. However, I like the way I’m swinging the club but there is a limit when your body is not fit.”

Kiradech will take a short break from the game to rest his right knee, which suffered a 20-per-cent tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Kiradech plans to return during the PGA TOUR’s Asian swing in October, comprising THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in South Korea, inaugural ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in Japan and World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China.

The longer-term goal, though, is for him to shed some 10 kilograms in weight and get his knee stronger through gym work.

“If I can get down to 100kg, it should put less pressure on the knee but I’m not sure how it will affect the golf swing,” said Kiradech, who enjoyed three top-5s this season.

“Right now, when I keep playing, the knee starts to hurt and swells up slightly. I’ve got to limit myself. I can’t squat to read the putting lines too much. The doctor has suggested a six- to eight-week break, but I have no chance to stop as it’s my first season on the PGA TOUR. I’m undergoing various treatments including acupuncture, soft-tissue treatment and chiropractic treatment and it’s helped a little bit.”

As one of eight Asians in the FedExCup Playoffs, Kiradech is loving his time at Liberty National Golf Club, which has New York’s stunning Manhattan skyline offering a magnificent backdrop.

“I love the golf course, I would say it’s one of the best in the US. I like the way it looks, it’s a proper golf course with a mixture of long and short holes. And the views are just amazing,” said Kiradech.

With two weeks remaining before the top-eight players for both the United States and International Teams are finalised for the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia in December, Kiradech also faces an uphill task to make his debut appearance under captain Ernie Els after slipping down into 20th position.

“There are no excuses. I don’t think I’m good enough at this time. You want the top players to play against the US. After the top-eight are picked, I will have three months to improve my knee and my game. If I can play well during the Asian Swing, then maybe Ernie might see something. Match play is my kind of game. I just need to get fit.”

ABOUT PGA TOUR

By showcasing golf’s greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.

The PGA TOUR co-sanctions more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Series-China. Members on the PGA TOUR represent the world’s best players, hailing from 27 countries (90 members are from outside the United States). Worldwide, PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to 226 countries and territories in 23 languages. Virtually all tournaments are organised as non-profit organisations to maximise charitable giving. In 2018, tournaments across all Tours generated a record $190 million for local and national charitable organisations, bringing the all-time total to $2.84 billion.

The US$300,000 event is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and will be staged at the Classic Golf and Country Club which is highly regarded as one of India’s finest golf courses.

The Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship is expected to feature an exciting mix of established stars, promising talents from the Asian Tour as well as home grown ones from the PGTI as they vie for honours at the Classic Golf and Country Club, which is the first Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in South Asia.

The host venue, which comprises of an 18-Hole Signature Championship Course as well as a 9-Hole Signature Canyon Course, witnessed a slice of history in 2009 when Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat recorded the world’s lowest 72-hole score with a 32-under-par to win the third of his four Asian Tour titles then

Prior to hosting its first Asian Tour event in 2009, the Classic Golf and Country Club was also home to the prestigious Indian Open in 2000 and 2001. Over the past few years, it has also played host to several tournaments on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour said, “We are looking forward to the Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship as it gives our members another playing opportunity that allows them to gain valuable experience and have a potentially career-inspiring week.

“Apart from having our best players compete for some of the bigger prize purses on Tour, full-field events such as the Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship will also provide our emerging talents with the opportunity to shoot for glory and aim for their breakthrough on the Asian Tour.”

Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of PGTI said, “Indian golf is on the rise today and the staging of the Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship will allow our players to compete on a bigger stage.

“The Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship will give them a great chance to compete and showcase their talents. I am confident the Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship will be a huge success.”

At Gullane Golf Club, Ariya fired a final-round 66 to take her third title of the season. Despite her breakthrough links victory last year and playing just three kilometres down the road this week at The Renaissance Club, Ariya still isn’t quite comfortable.

“I don’t really like links courses,” said Ariya whose biopic “Pro May Atchariya Tong Sang (“Genius Must Be Built”) premiered in Bangkok on Tuesday.

About the movie: “Pro May Atchariya Tong Sang”

Ariya is among the world’s best female golfers in the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour returns to the Home of Golf this week at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland for the third edition of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, which starts tomorrow. The event marks the finale of the LPGA Tour’s 12-week summer stretch and is the last qualifying event for European hopefuls to earn their spot on the 2019 European Solheim Cup Team.

In 2018, Ariya collected her third victory of the season at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open thanks to a final round 5-under par, 66 to win at 13-under par, one-stroke ahead of Minjee Lee. Rolex Rankings No. 4 Lee, No. 5 Ariya and No. 7 Jeongeun Lee lead the 156-player field which will see 27 of the top 30 players from the 2019 LET Order of Merit vying for the $1.5 million purse.

“It’s not because the courses are not good, they’re great, but I just feel like it’s so tough for me. When I came back here, I complained to my caddie that it’s so tough. He told me to be patient and learn something new every day.”

While Ariya would love a successful title defense, this week is not about winning her 11th career LPGA title. Instead, the 23-year-old Thai is focusing on having balance and happiness in her life.

“I would say one of the big goals this year is not winning a tournament but how to manage myself and balance golf and my life,” Ariya said. “And I feel much better and am getting much better, but I still have so much to work on, especially my commitment. Because you know, when you are close to winning the tournament, you start thinking about the outcome and your play falls off. I am not good enough to win the tournament because I’m thinking about the outcome too much.”

While she has yet to win in 2019, her fresh outlook is paying off this summer as she’s collected six top-11 finishes in her last seven starts.

“In the past few months, I’ve learnt that when I’m happy and spending time with my sister and my mother, my golf is better, too.”