Despite nursing a knee injury, the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion showed he can still produce a worthy performance at the world’s oldest Major by taking a share of third place with 12 other players which also include Major winners like Spain’s Sergio Garcia and world number one Brooks Koepka of the United States.

“The knee’s still affecting the golf swing but I played really solid golf today as I managed to control my energy levels and pace myself really well today,” said Kiradech, who is making his sixth appearance at The Open.

Kiradech will start his second round two shots back of American leader JB Holmes, who overcame an opening bogey before firing six birdies to take the day’s honours with a 66.

“I’ve been practicing the last couple of weeks. I’ve been playing great. So actually I felt great and very confident coming in. I was hitting it great and I putted well. I wasn’t really surprised with today’s result. I mean, I played well,” said Holmes.

Korea’s Sanghyun Park, who missed the cut in his Carnoustie debut last year, showed early promise by signing for a 69 to end the day tied for 16th while India’s Shubhankar Sharma was pleased with his opening round efforts after posting a 70 to take a share of 20th place.

“It was a good day today. One-under is always a good start and I couldn’t have asked for more. The major takeaway from today was I managed to stay bogey-free as I made a few crucial par putts coming in especially the ones from 14 to 16,” said Sharma, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

Debutant Mikumu Horikawa of Japan along with South Africa’s Justin Harding signed for a 71 to share 42nd place while Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul mixed his card with two bogeys and a birdie to take tied-54th place along with Yosuke Asaji of Japan.

Thailand’s  Prom Messawat and South Africa’s Shaun Norris are a further shot back in a share of 72nd place after returning with matching 73s.

Americans Kurt Kitayama and David Lipsky together with Thailand’s Jazz Janewattanond and Korea’s Doyeob Mun struggled with their respective 74s while Australia’s Jake McLeod, Japan’s Yuta Ikeda and Korea’s Dongkyu Jang had a day to forget when they returned with matching 76s.

Thailand (ranked 116 in the world), have been drawn in a group with arch-rivals Vietnam (96), the United Arab Emirates (67), Malaysia (159) and Indonesia (160).

The “War Elephants” had been the region’s top side until Vietnam dethroned them at last December’s Suzuki Cup and followed up by beating Thailand in the semi-finals of this year’s King’s Cup in Buriram.

“This will be a challenge for Thai footballers and it will be interesting to see if we can again be the No1 team in South East Asia,” said Wittaya, a 61-cap international who in 1979 became the first Thai to play in Europe when he joined Hertha Berlin.

However, he accepted that there would need to be changes in the Thai set-up, much of it down to new national coach Akira Nishino.

“We may have a disadvantage at the moment but football is a game of tactics and it will depend on what the new coach assigns for each player,” he said. “I believe that Thailand can beat every team in this region.”

Wittaya, now 65, added that Thai players needed to believe in themselves, maintain focus during games and have faith in the new coach.

“The biggest concern is adjusting to Nishino’s style,” he said.

“We need to play according to his style, particularly the Japanese style that has not been seen for a long time in Thai football. It requires persevering until you open up the game and adjust your plays correctly.

“I can tell you that no foreign coach has ever been able to clearly achieve that. We have suffered from having a muddled attack and defence and even when we’ve had possession we have shown a lack of precision.”

“So apart from trying to win, we can expect significant improvements in the game like never before.”

Thailand’s first Group G qualifier is against Vietnam on September 5.

According to A.P. Honda Co Ltd, the distributor of Honda motorcycles in Thailand, the riders are outstanding female rider Muklada Sarapuech, rising star Piyawat Prathumyot and Warit Thongnopakhun.

Shigeto Kimura, president of A.P. Honda, said: “Our goal is to raise Thai motorsports to the world level and this is the reason that we have been sending Thai riders, mechanics and management to participate in the Suzuki 4 Hours Endurance since 2017.”

He said the team has been gaining experience and is ready to challenge other teams for victory with a combination of experienced riders, rising stars and well-trained team members.

The team will start practice at Suzuka on July 26 and qualify during the same day; the race takes place on July 27.

A live telecast will be available at www.facebook.com/hondamotorcyclethailandfrom 6.20-11.30am.

Meanwhile, Honda is taking applications for the Race to the Dream project for junior riders from ages 9-14. Qualifying is held on: September 28-29 at the Honda Safety Riding Centre Ramkamhaeng; October 26-27 at the Honda Safety Riding Park Chiang Mai; and November 9-10 at the Bira Kart Circuit Pattaya.

The final round will be held on December 7-8 at the Honda Safety Riding Centre Ramkamhaeng.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/aphondaracingTH.

Playing in front of a partisan crowd, the 2013 world champion and former world No 1 had to summon all her resources to outlast the 2017 world junior champion 21-13 21-19 21-15 and book a spot in Friday’s quarter-finals.

The Thai No 1 next faces world No 1 and defending champion Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan, who edged world No 23 Busanan Ongbamrunphan 21-19 21-18.

It will be a daunting task for 2015 champion Ratchanok but history is on her side – she leads the top seed 13-11 in their head-to-heads.

Joining her in the last eight is Thai No 3 Nitchaon Jindapol, who upset Canadian world No 14 Michelle Li 22-20 21-17, but history is definitely not on her side heading into Friday’s match.

The world No 26 must overcome world No 4 Akane Yamaguchi, having lost all five previous clashes with the Japanese player.

On the men’s side, Thai No 1 Kantaphon Wangcharoen, had a thrilling 84-minute encounter with world No 8 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia before prevailing 22-20 11-21 21-19.

The world No 18 has certainly been doing it tough this week – he also came through a tough, 85-minute battle against Thailand Open champion Kanta Tsuneyama in the first round on Tuesday.

After winning the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship in his last bout against Elias Mahmoudi of Algeria in the ONE: Warriors of Light in Bangkok two months ago, Petchdam will be back in action for the first defence of his title against the Dutch-Moroccan kickboxer.

Petchdam is a multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion known for his devastating left kick, which is responsible for the majority of his wins. He trains out of the famed Petchyindee Academy in Bangkok alongside fellow Muay Thai World Champions Petchmorakot and Sorgraw. Over the course of his stellar career, the Thai hero has claimed several prestigious accolades, including Lumpinee Stadium and WBC World Muay Thai Championships, as well as a Toyota Marathon Tournament Title. In May, Petchdam captured the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title with a comprehensive performance against Mahmoudi.

Considered one of the top kickboxers in the world, Ennahachi is one of the fastest rising talents in the sport. At just 23 years of age, he is already a six-time Kickboxing World Champion and is now looking to compete against the world’s best in ONE Super Series.

Earlier this month, Italian-Armenian kickboxing superstar Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan advanced to the semi-final round of the highly-acclaimed ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix with a victory over Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy, n his next bout, Petrosyan takes on fellow semi-finalist “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut of Thailand.

A multiple-time Kickboxing World Champion, Petrosyan is one of the greatest and most dominant kickboxers of all time, having already accomplished an incredible amount in his sensational career. This includes two K-1 World MAX World Championships, a Glory Slam Tournament Championship, and several other prestigious titles. Petrosyan joined ONE Super Series in 2018 and has since put together a solid run through the ranks.

A former two division Lion Fight World Champion and WMC Muay Thai World Champion, Nattawut is one of the finest attacking talents in the striking world. Right from the opening bell, Nattawut is known for igniting the ring with his trademark intensity, and it has led him to sterling success in his career thus far. The winner of the fight between Nattawut and Petrosyan advances to the final round of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix and gets a chance to compete for the U $1 million (Bt30.8 million) prize.

Reigning ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand begins her quest for a historic third World Title when she makes her highly-anticipated return to mixed martial arts competition against opponent Asha “Knockout Queen” Roka of India.

Stamp made her ONE Championship debut as a participant in Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series, where she knocked out Rashi Shinde in 19 seconds. With dreams of one day becoming a three-sport World Champion, Stamp embarks on a remarkable journey for a mixed martial arts World Title.

Standing in Stamp’s way is Roka, who holds unblemished professional records in both mixed martial arts and boxing. Roka is a former Indian National Boxing Champion with fast and powerful hands. Nicknamed “Knockout Queen”, she has two submissions and two knockouts out of four wins.

Gunn, who regained his Asian Tour card by finishing second at Qualifying School last December, booked his place at the 148th edition of The Open after tying for third place at the Mizuno Open, which was part of The Open Qualifying Series on the Japan Golf Tour.

It has always been a dream for the 27-year-old Thai to compete against the world’s best players and now that he has sealed his passage to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland which will host The Open, Gunn is eager to savour a brand new experience at the year’s fourth and final Major.

“This is a dream come true for me. Of the four Majors, I like the Masters and The Open [the most]. This is the first time I’ll be playing in a Major and I’m just trying to take in all the positive vibes and enjoy the experience.

“I’m going to be playing in front of the biggest and best crowd in my entire career this week and I just want to take it all in,” said Gunn, who has recorded 11 top-10s in 16 events across five different tours.

Gunn has not set any expectations for himself this week, as his goal is to soak up the experience while hoping to calm his nerves when he steps up to tee this afternoon.

“When I was playing my practice rounds, I was really nervous as I didn’t want to shank the ball into the grandstands where the crowd was. Even though I managed to hit it onto the fairways, I was still feeling very nervous,” said Gunn.

Being at The Open has also changed much of Gunn’s outlook on life, as he now hopes to take his game to the next level.

“For a long time, I never really appreciated anything that came into my life until I was given a reality check when I was told, ‘hey many people would take this position you are in’.

“To become a world-class player is going to be the next step. I have become better but to be consistently good all the time is very difficult. But that’s what I’ll be seeking to do from here,” said Gunn.

Gunn is part of the Thai quartet teeing up at The Open this week. The others are Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Jazz Janewattananond and Prom Meesawat.

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat will be the first to get things going for the Asian Tour as he tees off at 9.03am in the company of England’s Ian Poulter and Korea’s Sungjae Im.

Compatriot Prom Meesawat, who is making his return to the world’s oldest Major after an eight-year absence, will follow next when he steps up to the tee at 11.15am together with the English pair of Matthew Baldwin and Jack Senior.

American Kurt Kitayama and Australia’s Jake McLeod will tee off at 12.20pm with South Africa’s Erik Van Rooyen followed by South Africa’s Shaun Norris and Korea’s Dongkyu Jang as they go off at 12.31 pm together with New Zealand’s Ryan Fox.

In what is expected to be one of the most closely followed groups, Asia’s number one Shubhankar Sharma of India will start alongside world number one Brooks Koepka of the United States and 2010 champion Louis Oosthuizen at 1.04pm.

“Obviously there’s going to be a lot of people following us and hopefully more people back home in India will watch it too. It’s always going to be fun playing with the Major champions,” said Sharma.

Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, who missed the cut in his Carnoustie debut last year, will have another chance to redeem himself when he goes off at 1.15pm together with Billy Horschel and Aaron Wise of the United States.

David Lipsky, the 2014 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, will then tee off at 1.37pm together with Australia’s Cameron Smith and Canada’s Adam Hadwin while South Africa’s Justin Harding has the company of Scotland’s Paul Lawrie and American Chez Reavie at 1.48pm.

The opening day’s final four groups will feature Japan’s Yuta Ikeda with Mexico’s Isidro Benitez and Spain’s Adrian Otaegui at 3.43pm, followed by Korea’s Sanghyun Park with Patton Kizzire and Japan’s Yuki Inamori at 3.54pm.

Korea’s Doyeob Mun, who is making his first ever Major appearance, will start at 4.05pm with England’s Andrew Wilson and Japan’s Yoshinori Fujimoto before the day’s proceeding concludes with Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul and Japan’s Yosuke Asaji teeing off at 4.16pm together with England’s Ashton Turner.

Francesco Molinari, who became the first Italian to win a Major when he won The Open at Carnoustie last year, will begin his defence alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Adam Scott at 9.58am.

“It would be incredible to be able to hold the Claret jug again on Sunday. But I’m well aware of the challenges ahead.

“There’s a lot of guys capable this week of winning the trophy. And all I can do is do my best, try to put up a good defense and be in contention again on Sunday,” said the defending champion.

After an opening bogey, the Canadian duo found their groove, carding seven birdies and just one additional bogey.

“At the beginning I felt like it was kind of, like, nerve wracking a little bit to get going. Then once we got a good game plan out there, we kind of helped each other read some putts,” said Sharp, who is looking for the first win of her 15-year LPGA career. “At the beginning we didn’t really know what we were doing, like we didn’t really help each other out a lot. Then we got into a nice roll, a nice rhythm and hit some good shots, made some putts. Really never got into huge trouble.”

“Alena just kind of came up to me and just told me to relax a little bit on those first couple holes because I was pretty tight,” said Henderson, a two-time winner in 2019. “I think that was great advice because I just needed to kind of settle into the round a little bit.”

American fan-favorites and Solheim Cup stalwarts Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel shot a 4-under 66 and sit in solo second going into Thursday’s four-ball round. Four teams are tied for third at -3.

Playing in her first event since the 2017 CME Group Tour Championship, Suzann Pettersen teamed with Catriona Matthew for a 3-over 73 and are tied for 50th. Pettersen was on maternity leave for the 2018 season, giving birth to a son in August.

O CANADA

The “Eh” Team really was the A Team on Wednesday at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Canadian Olympians Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp’s opening foursomes round featured seven birdies and just two bogeys, and with a sea of Canadian red shirts outside the ropes, the duo was all smiles after their round.

“Alena was really hitting it well right from the start and she kind of bailed me out right at the beginning and we kind of just got going. We felt the energy and the adrenaline,” said Henderson. “Made a couple putts and we just kind of kept it going, which was fun.  It’s cool to make seven birdies out here definitely in alternate shot.”

Sharp said as the round went on, the two became more comfortable on the course. “I think when we first started we were really quiet, and then on this hole here, No. 12 was our third hole, we started talking a little bit more and I think that relaxed both of us and I think that’s something we just need to do from the get go on Friday when we’re out here,” said Sharp about returning to the foursomes format in the third round. “It just eases the tension.  Not necessarily talk about golf, but just chatting, have a good laugh, and we did that and started making birdies. It’s a good recipe.”

Henderson hopes that they can keep their consistent play rolling into the second round. “I think we were both hitting it well and making some putts, which is a great feeling,” said Henderson. “I think if we can kind of keep the energy and momentum going to tomorrow and the next couple days, I think that’s key.”

SISTER DUOS #TEAMUP AND PLAY TOGETHER

Only three sets of sisters have both won on the LPGA Tour, and two of those pairs are playing together for the first two rounds of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.Jessica Korda and Nelly Korda shot a 2-under 68 on Wednesday alongside Ariya Jutanugarn and Moriya Jutanugarn, who finished at even-par 70. The camaraderie was evident between the sister duos.

“We are all good friends and like it just feels like we hang out and try to support each other as, you know, like in the same team,” said Moriya Jutanugarn. “And then watching them play, you know, like a lot of good golf out there is a lot of fun.”

“You can definitely see that we’re all really comfortable with each other,” added Nelly Korda. “We all like kept to each other, but I think it was fun. I think they had fun and it was a cool group.”

The Korda sisters have combined for seven LPGA Tour victories (five for Jessica and two for Nelly), while the Jutanugarns have 11 wins between them (10 for Ariya and one for Moriya). Annika Sorenstam (72 wins) and Charlotta Sorenstam (one win) are the only other sisters with LPGA wins, while 10 total sets of sisters have played on Tour.

PETTERSEN RETURNS TO THE LPGA WITH MATTHEW ON HER TEAM

Today marked 12-time LPGA winner Suzann Pettersen’s return to the LPGA Tour, playing as a team with 2019 Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew in the inaugural Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Pettersen is making her first LPGA start since giving birth to her son Herman Alexander in August 2018.

Pettersen’s last appearance was a T11 finish at the CME Group Tour Championship in November 2017, and she said after her round on Wednesday she was really happy to be back in competition.

“I actually enjoyed being out there today,” Pettersen said after the pair opened with a 73 in foursomes. “I think I was actually more nervous yesterday on the first tee in the pro-am than I was today. It’s just really hard to get the rhythm, but for what I’ve been through the last 12 months, it was about the same rhythm that I’ve had recently. I just really enjoyed it.”

Pettersen, an eight-time member of the European Solheim Cup team, will serve as a Vice Captain for Matthew at the Solheim Cup in Gleneagles this September. Matthew said that Pettersen, who chipped in for birdie on 13, played extremely well for being away from the LPGA so long.

“Well, obviously great to come back, it’s a great event to come back and play in for Suzann, and then playing with Anna [Nordqvist] and Carro [Hedwall], it was a nice comfortable pairing for us all,” Matthew said. “Suzann hit a lot of good shots. She’s being a modest there, some really good shots. I told her it felt as though she’s never been away.”

#TEAMPINK OFF TO STRONG START

Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer, aka Team Pink, came out strong during the first round of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational and sit solo second at -4. After an eagle on No. 3, the pair recorded an additional three birdies to sit one back of Canadian leaders Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp. Creamer said they felt that their bond and experience gave them an advantage on the course.

“We’re best of friends, we played a lot of team events together, so it’s nothing new for us to be able to come out here,” said Creamer. “We haven’t played alternate shot for a little while, and when we have played it in the past, it’s always match play and you never have to finish.  Out here you actually have to shoot a score, which is a little bit different. But I definitely think we have kind of the upper hand with the experience.”

Creamer and Pressel have played in a combined 12 Solheim Cups between 2005 and 2017. They have been paired together five times with a 2-2-1 record, in four-ball and foursomes combined. Pressel said after grinding it out in Wednesday’s foursomes, the duo is focused on a new strategy for the second round of four-ball play.

“Tomorrow’s back to your own ball, trying to make as many birdies as possible. Maybe slightly more aggressive than we would potentially play if it was if we were playing by ourselves individually,” said Pressel. “But for the most part, even when we go out individually, we’re still trying to make birdies. Definitely very similar to individual play.”

PLAYER THOUGHTS ON THE TEAM FORMAT

“I’s always nice to play for each other and not just for yourself. You play so much individual golf through your life, but every now and again it’s nice to mix it up. To have a team event on the schedule, I’m sure everyone’s quite happy about. It’s not the easiest to come out for me and play foursomes straight off the bat, but I really am looking forward to tomorrow. We’re both going to play our own ball and hopefully get even better rhythm.” – Suzann Pettersen

“This (foursomes) format is hard to find momentum like on the golf course and like sometime like you miss one shot and you want to hit another one, so for you to get 2 feet better.” – Moriya Jutanugarn

“I think this week I’m definitely looking forward to the best ball maybe a little bit more, but it was fun and a different experience I think for both of us. Just kind of you’re thinking all the time you want to put your partner in a good position. Sometimes you’ve got to just put that out of your mind and play your own game.” – Brooke Henderson

PLAYER NOTES

Rolex Rankings No. 9 Brooke Henderson and No. 125 Alena Sharp (65)

• This is Henderson’s fifth season on the LPGA Tour; she has nine career victories, including two in 2019
• This is Henderson’s 17th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she has wins at the LOTTE Championship and the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, as well as five additional top-10 finishes
• Henderson’s win at the Meijer LPGA Classic was her ninth career victory, making her the winningest Canadian golfer in the history of the LPGA and PGA Tours
• This is Sharp’s 15th season on the LPGA Tour; her best finish is fourth at the 2016 CP Women’s Open
• This is Sharp’s 14th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she has top-10 finishes at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give
• Henderson and Sharp both represented Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil; Henderson tied for seventh, while Sharp finished 30th

Rolex Rankings No. 157 Paula Creamer and No. 88 Morgan Pressel (66)

• This is Creamer’s 15th season on the LPGA Tour; she has 10 career victories, most recently at the 2014 HSBC Women’s World Championship
• This is Creamer’s 13th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is a tie for eighth at the ShopRite LPGA Classic for Acer
• This is Pressel’s 14th season on the LPGA Tour; he has two wins, most recently at the 2008 Kapalua LPGA Classic
• This is Pressel’s 15th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is a tie for third at the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open and she tied for sixth at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give
• Creamer and Pressel have played in a combined 12 Solheim Cups; they have been paired together five times with a 2-2-1 record

DOW GREAT LAKES BAY INVITATIONAL FORMAT

The tournament is a 72-hole, stroke-play team event with teams comprised of two players. The first and third rounds will be played in foursomes (alternate shot) and the second and final rounds will be played in a four-ball (best-ball) format. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 35 teams and ties.

In the event of a playoff, the champions will be determined by a hole-by-hole playoff in the foursomes format.

Each LPGA Member on the winning team will receive the standard two-year winner’s exemption on the LPGA Priority List. Winners will also get into the 2019 Evian Championship, 2019 AIG Women’s British Open, 2020 ANA Inspiration and 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, as well as the 2020 and 2021 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. CME points and prize money will be official for the purposes of the current-year LPGA Official Money List and Race to the CME Globe Standings. Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, Rolex Player of the Year, Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year and U.S. Solheim Cup points will not be allocated, and statistics will not be calculated.

SOCIAL MEDIA – #DriveOn

Tournament: @DowGLBI; #DowGLBI, #TeamUp

LPGA: @LPGA, @LPGAMedia (Twitter), @lpga_tour (Instagram)

TOURNAMENT SCORING RECORDS

18 holes: 65 (-5), Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp, first round, 2019

TV TIMES (all times Eastern on Golf Channel)

Thursday, July 20 – 8-10 p.m. (tape delay)

Friday, July 21 – 8-10 p.m. (tape delay)

Saturday, July 22 – 6-8 p.m.

DOW GREAT LAKES BAY INVITATIONAL FIELD

Thailand were assigned in Group G alongside not just Asian powerhouses such as the UAE and regional No1 Vietnam but also Malaysia and Indonesia. The teams will play each other both home and away.
It will serve as a tough baptism for newly-appointed national coach Akira Nishino from Japan, who is due to officially sign a contract with the Football Association of Thailand in Japan on Friday.
The second round of Asian qualification for the 2022 World Cup consists of eight groups, each with five nations. The eight group leaders and four best second-placed teams will move into the third round and will automatically qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup in China.
Thailand’s opening qualifier will be against Vietnam on September 5.