The 19-year-old from Phuket only joined the Tour as a rookie in March but has quickly become the third Thai to win a Japanese LPGA crown after Ornnarin Satyabanpot and Poranee Chutichai.

Saranporn took home 18 million yen (Bt5 million) for her win out of a total tournament purse of 100 million yen (Bt27.85 million).

She started the final day at the par-72 Katsura Golf Club one stroke behind the leaders and fired 5 birdies to finish on 15 under par and clinch the title by 3 strokes.

The 30-year-old rider nicknamed “Ting Note” shattered 15 bones when he crashed at high speed during the FIM Superbike World Championship at Buri Ram’s Chang International Circuit in March. Back on the same track for the first time since his brush with death, a patched up Thitipong shocked fans by winning Sunday’s Super Bike 1000cc (SB1) to defend his title in the PTT BRIC Superbike.

It was an astonishing performance for a man who had wished he was dead as he lay in a hospital bed suffering excruciating pain just four months ago.

“I was even stunned myself,” Thitpong of Kawasaki Racing Team Thailand said. “I started practising a few days before the race and didn’t expect to win at all,” he added.

The Thai rider said it was a miracle that a man who had fractured bones in his spine, chest and kneecap was even able to walk again, never mind compete on the track.

“The doctor says my case is one in a million. In fact he suggested that I should not compete again for six months, but I really wanted to come back sooner,” said the Chon Buri native.

Thitipong, who competed in Moto2 between 2013 and 2018, admitted that lying helpless in hospital was the lowest point in his life. There were moments he thought he would never make it back on a racing bike.

“I woke up in so much pain that wished I were dead,” Thitipong recalled of the hours after surgery. “I thought my racing life was over.”

But thanks to intensive therapy including laser treatment and even acupuncture, Thitipong was back on his feet and showing signs of a miraculous recovery. Despite the understandable concerns of his family, he was eager to return to racing.

“After I was able to move my body, I wanted to race again. My grandmother asked me to stop but I knew I could still compete. I have no plans to retire until I’m 35,” Thitipong said.

Despite making a premature return to the bike, Thitipong said he followed his doctor’s instructions carefully and was more prudent than ever when riding. He suffered sharp pains as the bike jolted his still-healing body but nothing could stop him from pursuing his dream.

“When you compete under the Thai flag, you just want to give everything out there. I was so lost in the heat of competition that I forgot both the accident here and the pain. When you finally win, you are so overwhelmed that the past is forgotten.”

Kim had seven birdies and needed just 26 putts on Sunday to capture her ninth career LPGA title at 22-under par at the 2019 Marathon Classic presented by Dana.

“This feels great,” Kim said. “I really want another win, especially this week, because last two weeks I played really bad. I was like, ‘Oh, I really want to win some tournament.’ I did this week, and so happy with that.”

Kim fell just one stroke shy of the tournament record held by her idol Se Ri Pak, a five-time Marathon Classic champion, she said she didn’t know the record but she’s happy to have won the same tournament Pak did.

“I’m very honored my name alongside Se Ri Pak. Since I was young she is one of my idols. She’s a great player. She won five times this tournament. Yeah, I got very big inspiration from that win.”

Lexi Thompson put pressure on Kim on the back nine with birdies on 10, 12 and 14, but despite closing with an eagle for the second straight day and posting a final round 5-under par it wasn’t enough for her 12th career win.

“She played some amazing golf today,” Thompson said of Kim. “I’ve played with her a lot just in my career, and she’s an amazing talent. Showed today. She went through a stretch on the front nine or going into the back where she stuck every shot. Had under five feet about four times in a row, so it was a very well deserved win by her. I tried to catch her. I kind of made a run. Too late, but it’s okay.”

Toledo native Stacy Lewis posted a final round 5-under par to finish in solo third at 16-under par, her career-best finish at her hometown event and her season-best result. 2019 U.S. Women’s Open champion Jeongeun Lee6 finished in fourth at -14 to collect her sixth top-10 finish of her rookie season.

LEWIS PERFORMS UNDER THE GUN

Stacy Lewis fired a 5-under 66 on the final day of the Marathon Classic presented by Dana, scooting up the leaderboard to a third-place finish. Lewis’ performance at Highland Meadows Golf Club this week was the best finish of her 13 starts of this event and her first top-5 finish since her T5 at the 2017 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

“Really the last two weeks I feel like I’ve played really good. I’ve been working really hard on a few things,” said Lewis, who captured her first top-10 finish since coming back from maternity leave and was greeted by husband, Gerrod and accompanied by baby Chesnee on the 18th green. “It’s just nice to see it coming together, especially under the gun. There was some pressure out there today, especially early. Was able to get it around pretty good.”

The 11-year LPGA Tour veteran played with rookie Jennifer Kupcho on Sunday, who shot even par for a share of fifth place, and the major champion was impressed by the 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion.

“I know she wanted to play better today, but I think she’s going to be out here for a long time,” said Lewis of the young rookie, Kupcho. “I was impressed with the ball striking. Hits it very high; almost hit a little bit of a fade. Once she figures out the nerves and kind of handling pressure a little bit, I think she’s going to be in a good spot.”

Kupcho finished in a tie for fifth after shooting an even-par 71 but had a few takeaways after playing with Thompson in the third round and Lewis in the fourth.

“I mean, honestly, the fact that I can’t finish a tournament strong,” said Kupcho, hitting 10 of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens in regulation, “but getting to play with Stacy and Lexi yesterday, definitely seeing how their ball-striking is and how good their iron game is, definitely something to work on and definitely can learn and did learn from their games.”

RUNNER-UP THOMPSON PROUD OF HER ATTITUDE

Lexi Thompson made the turn in the final round on Sunday five strokes behind Sei Young Kim but managed to close in on the lead to finish just two strokes behind in solo second at -20. On the back nine, Thompson birdied No. 10, 12, 14 and 17, while the final pairing both bogeyed No. 16 and closed with an eagle on No. 18 in Thompson fashion, just as she had in Round 3.

“Obviously we all want to win but like I said, [Sei Young] played great golf,” said Thompson who shot a final-round 65. “On top of it, I’m very proud of just my attitude this whole week. I could have faltered today with my little bit of a start and just not ball striking it the way I wanted to or the way I have the last three days. But I stayed in and stayed positive.”

Positive vibes have been boosting the 24-year-old American’s confidence and has been paying off with three second-place finishes and a win in her last five starts. Interestingly enough, Thompson eagled the final holes in the third and fourth rounds of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer (win), Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give (T2) and this week.

“It’s a great just tune up just to see where my game is at. I knew it was in a spot, so just going to try to keep that going,” said Thompson referring to her confidence heading into back-to-back majors. “Majors are a very long week, so I am just going to take it one shot at a time. Probably play a little tougher than here. But it’ll be a good two weeks.”

FIVE PLAYERS PUNCH TICKETS TO AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

The Marathon Classic presented by Dana marked the last chance for LPGA players to earn a full exemption into the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open. Tiffany Joh, Linnea Strom, Pavarisa Yoktuan, Jennifer Kupcho and Mariajo Uribe punched their tickets to the season’s final major championship with top-12 finishes on Sunday.

Players will be competing on the Marquess’ Course at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, England this year, competing for a share of the $4.5 million purse, a $1.25 million purse increase announced by the R&A earlier this week.

PLAYER NOTES

Rolex Rankings No. 12 Sei Young Kim (67-64-66-65)

• Kim earns her ninth career victory and visits the winner’s circle for the second time this season
• Kim is the season’s fourth player to have multiple wins this season, joining Jin Young Ko, Brooke Henderson and Sung Hyun Park (2)
• With her ninth career victory, Kim ties Na Yeon Choi for the fourth most wins by a Korean player in LPGA history; only Se Ri Pak (25), Inbee Park (19) and Jiyai Shin (11) have more wins
• She projects to move from 41st to 39th on the All-Time Money List with $6,811,480
• At the 2018 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic, she set the LPGA’s 72-hole scoring record at 31-under 257
• Kim represented the Republic of Korea at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, where she finished T25
• She was the 2015 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year

QUICK HITS

• Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings projections show that no player can overtake No. 1 Sung Hyun Park and No. 2 Jin Young Ko this week
• Haru Nomura withdrew during the final round on Sunday

CME GROUP CARES CHALLENGE – SCORE 1 FOR ST. JUDE

The CME Group Cares Challenge is a season-long charitable giving program that turns aces into donations. CME Group will donate $20,000 for each hole-in-one made on the LPGA Tour in 2019, with a minimum guaranteed donation of $500,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras made a hole-in-one on No. 8 from 122 yards using a 9-iron on Friday at the Marathon Classic. There are now 18 aces recorded this season and a total of $360,000 raised thus far.

LEADERS TOP 10 COMPETITION

The LEADERS Top 10 competition awards a $100,000 bonus to the LPGA player with the most top-10 finishes through the completion of the event held immediately prior to the CME Group Tour Championship. In the event of a tie in total top-10 finishes, the award will go to the player with the most official wins, followed by most second-place finishes, third-place finishes, etc., until the tie is broken.

With a runner-up finish at the Marathon Classic, Lexi Thompson moves into a tie for third with Brooke Henderson and Hyo Joo Kim with seven top-10 finishes on the season. With her fourth-place finish Jeongeun Lee6 moves into a tie for sixth with six top-10 finishes total.

TOURNAMENT SCORING RECORDS

18 holes: 60, Paula Creamer, first round, 2008

36 holes: 125, Paula Creamer, 2008

54 holes: 195, Eunjung Yi, 2009; Paula Creamer, 2008; Se Ri Pak, 1998

72 holes: 261 (-23), Se Ri Pak, 1998

The 19-year-old produced an unblemished round of a 67 to win on 15 under-par-273, beating Japanese Mone Inami who sit three shots back on 12 under-par-276.

Playing her first season on the JLPGA, Saranporn earned Bt5 million for her victory. She now joins Porani Chutichai in 2016 and Ornarin Sattayabanpot in 2017.

The Nation

The 19-year-old University of California, Los Angeles sophomore, who turned professional only in May, carded a final-round 64 for a three-day total of 13-under-par 200 at the par-71 6,491-yard landscape.

“I’m a bit happy but then another part of me says ‘you have two more weeks [of competition] ahead of you. So just don’t get ahead of yourself’,” said Patty. “I’m happy with how I played and how I controlled myself this week. But I’m looking forward to the next two weeks and try to improve and be the best player I can be.”

The teenager collected US$33,750 for her victory and has earned $48,871 after playing three events as a pro. She posted three top-10 finishes in all three Symetra Tour events, including a runner-up spot in the Prasco Charity Championship.

The 2016 American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year winner will next enter two Symetra Tour stops in New York — the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic in Rochester from July 18-21 and the CDPHP Open in Albany from July 26-28.

Lexi Thompson (-15) tied the round of the day Saturday as she capped off her 6-under par round with an eagle in front of a huge gallery in Sylvania, Ohio.

With winds gusting up to 20 miles per hour in the afternoon, Highland Meadows Golf Club played a bit trickier on Saturday. Leader Kim struggled to adjust to the wind on her front nine with bogeys on the two par-3s, before she settled in on the back nine with four birdies coming in.

“It was a little tough to judge the distance,” Kim said of the conditions. “I mean, wind very gusting, on and off. So after that couple hole I miss second shot distance, and then I try to setting my mindset. And then just committed every shot, and, yeah, back nine I got a lot of birdie chance and then I make the four birdie.”

Thompson’s ball striking has been nearly flawless as she has only missed three greens in regulation this week, but she’s not putting too much pressure on herself to chase down Kim and capture win No. 12 on Sunday.

“Honestly, I’m not really thinking about any other players,” Thompson said. “It’s hard to because you’re playing with them and then there are leaderboards, but I try not to look at any leaderboards. I’ve just been trying to focus my game, my attitude, just everything I can control. I can’t do anything about what they’re doing. I can just control my game. If I make the birdies, great. Put the pressure on them. If I don’t, it’s golf. It’s not my life.”

2019 LPGA rookie and 2019 U.S. Women’s Open champion Jeongeun Lee6 is well within striking distance for a Sunday charge at 12-under par.

“Tomorrow I just want to focus on my iron shots,” Lee6 said after a third-round 69. “Like I said, my tee shots were not that great, so I’m going to focus on where I want to land it and just control my iron shots, hit the best shots I can.”

Toledo native Stacy Lewis is tied for fourth alongside Carlota Ciganda and 2019 rookie Jennifer Kupcho at 11-under par.

THOMPSON GETS AFTER IT IN ROUND 3

Lexi Thompson fired a 6-under 65 on Saturday to -15 total, placing herself in solo second, one shot behind Republic of Korea’s Sei Young Kim heading into the final round. Thompson hit 17 of 18 greens for the three consecutive rounds, only having missed three greens in regulation, which she credits her two-week break.

“I played well my last five-week stretch and then took a really nice two weeks off. Just stayed at home, relaxed, hung out with my family and friends. I think that’s what I needed, and to just come out with a fresh start,” said Thompson, seeking the 12th win of her career. “I just wanted to keep my swing in the groove because I was hitting it well before I took the break.”

Thompson’s front nine started with a bogey on the first hole but was followed up with birdies on Nos. 2, 4-5, 8-9 and then parred every hole after making the turn until she capped off her round with a closing 20-foot eagle putt on No. 18.

“I don’t know what position I was at, but it was needed,” said Thompson after her round, of the eagle on 18. “I missed a few coming in, so those were needed as well. I mean, it’s golf. I had a lot of shorter putts today than the other days. I got to the last one and I’m like, I’m not leaving it short. I’m going after it.”

WITH A WIN

Sei Young Kim would earn her ninth career victory and visit the winner’s circle for the fifth consecutive year

With her ninth career victory, Kim would tie Na Yeon Choi for the fourth most wins by a Korean player in LPGA history; only Se Ri Pak (25), Inbee Park (19) and Jiyai Shin (11) have more wins

With the $262,500 winner’s check, Kim would move to $6,811,480 in career earnings and from No. 41 to No. 39 on the Career Money List

Lexi Thompson would earn her 12th career LPGA Tour victory and move into a tie for 43rd on the All-Time Wins list, joining Clifford Ann Creed, Fay Crocker, Shirley Englehorn, Jane Geddes, Ruth Jessen and Stacy Lewis

Thompson would have her fourth multiple-win season, joining 2013, 2015 and 2017

With the $262,500 winner’s check, Thompson would move to $9,939,066 in career earnings and maintain No. 18 on the Career Money List behind No. 17 Catriona Matthew ($9,723,536)

Jeongeun Lee6 would earn her second career victory; she previously won the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open presented by the USGA

Kim, Lee6 and Thompson would become the season’s fourth player to have multiple wins this season, joining Jin Young Ko, Brooke Henderson and Sung Hyun Park (2)

Stacy Lewis or Jennifer Kupcho would join Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda as American winners in 2019

Jennifer Kupcho would become the fifth Rolex First-Time Winner of the 2019 season and would join Jeongeun Lee6 as rookie winners in 2019

LAST CHANCE TO QUALIFY FOR THE AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

The Marathon Classic presented by Dana is the final opportunity for LPGA players to earn a full exemption into the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open. After 72 holes, the top five LPGA Members that are not already exempt into the field will earn a spot into the season’s fifth major; provided they indicated to officials prior to the start of play that they would like to enter into the AIG Women’s British Open qualifier. In the event of a tie for the fifth position, the player ranked highest on the LPGA Official Money List as of the first round of the Marathon Classic will be the qualifier for the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open.

Through the third round in Sylvania the following players would punch their tickets to the major championship: Jennifer Kupcho, Pavarisa Yoktuan, Dana Finkelstein,Youngin Chun and Tiffany Joh.

Players will be competing on the Marquess’ Course at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, England this year, competing for a share of the $4.5 million purse, a $1.25 million purse increase announced by the R&A earlier this week.

PLAYER NOTES

Rolex Rankings No. 12 Sei Young Kim (67-64-66)

• Her 54-hole score of 197 is her second-best career mark; she previously recorded 192 during her record setting performance at the 2018 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic
• She hit 7 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens, with 26 putts
• In her career she has led/co-led seven times through 54-holes with four translating to victories
• Kim is in her fifth year on the LPGA Tour; she eight wins in her career with her most recent win at the 2019 LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship
• This is Kim’s 15th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she has two additional top-10 finishes including a runner-up finish at the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open
• Kim is competing in her third Marathon Classic; she finished T14 in 2015 and T53 in 2018
• Kim represented Republic of Korea in the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing T25
• She won the 2015 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award, capturing three victories in her rookie season

Rolex Rankings No. 4 Lexi Thompson (66-67-65)

• Thompson’s 54-hole 198 is her best mark at the Marathon Classic
• She hit 9 of 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens, with 30 putts
• Thompson is in her eighth season on the LPGA Tour; she has 11 victories, most recently at the 2019 ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, and has a seven-year winning streak (2013-19), the longest active streak on Tour
• This is Thompson’s 13th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she has six top-10 finishes including three top-five finishes and a win at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer
• Thompson is competing in her sixth Marathon Classic; her best finish is second in 2017 and has an additional top-five finish in 2013 (T3)

Rolex Rankings No. 9 Jeongeun Lee6 (66-66-69)

• She hit 8 of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens, with 27 putts
• Lee6 is making her first start at the Marathon Classic
• Lee6 is a 2019 LPGA Tour rookie; she earned her Membership by taking medalist honors at the 2018 LPGA Q Series
• Lee6 became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open
• This is Lee6’s 14th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; along with her major win she has five additional top-10 finishes
• She uses a 6 at the end of her last name as she is the sixth player named Jeongeun Lee6 in KLPGA history; her fan club in Korea is called “Lucky 6”
• Lee6 is also a member of the KLPGA Tour, where she has six career victories
• Lee6 currently leads the Rolex Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year standings with 889 points

QUICK HITS

• The par 5 finishing holes 17 and 18 are playing as the two easiest holes on the course with scoring averages of 4.69 and 4.68, respectively
• Defending champion Jasmine Suwannapura heads into the final round 2-under par and T50
• Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings projections show that no player can overtake No. 1 Sung Hyun Park and No. 2 Jin Young Ko this week

KIM SURGES TO THE TOP AFTER TWO ROUNDS IN OHIO

Kim narrowly missed her putt for eagle on 18 but tapped in a birdie to post a bogey-free 64 and head into the weekend with a one-shot lead at 11-under par over her countrywoman Jeongeun Lee6(-10). A trio of Americans head into the third round tied for third at 9-under par, major champions Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson and 2019 LPGA rookie Jennifer Kupcho.

After finishing outside the top-40 in her last two starts, Kim was not expecting to play this well in Sylvania, Ohio. “Not really, because my play wasn’t good the last two weeks,” Kim said, when asked if she had high expectations this week. “I’m just trying to do my best this week. So, yeah, I’m very happy with the good result than I expected.”

After Lee6 missed her first cut of her rookie season, the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open champion is back firing on all cylinders in her debut at the Marathon Classic. “I kind of wanted to play consistently as well, play well as much as I can. You know, especially the greens, like it’s not too soft, not too firm, and I think I can control the shots and I think I can play well tomorrow.”

Toledo native, Lewis’ 36-hole 133 is her career-best mark in 12 prior starts at the Marathon Classic and she is looking forward to being in the hunt. “I probably didn’t play as good today but managed it really good,” Lewis said of her third-round 68. “Couple near the lead, so I’m excited about the way I’m playing. Looking forward to the hot weather weekend.”

REST IS KEY TO THOMPSON’S SUCCESS

Top-ranked American Lexi Thompson returned to the LPGA Tour this week after a two-week break. Thompson played five weeks in a row prior to the much-needed time off, she said the first week she completely put away her clubs and focused on resting before amping back up her practice last week.

This week in her sixth appearance at the Marathon Classic, the well-rested Thompson is off to a fast start as the 11-time LPGA winner will head into the weekend at 9-under par, two shots behind leader Sei Young Kim.

“I like to think it’s the hard work I’ve put into it,” Thompson said of her 66-67 start. “I’ve been working extremely hard just on my game in general. At the same time, off the golf course I’ve been trying to be a normal 24-year old, relaxing and having fun with friends and family and making sure I get that down time. It’s very much needed, and I think that’s helped my overall mindset on and off the golf courses.”

While she hits more 3-woods than drivers, Thompson said she loves the challenge Highland Meadows Golf Club presents off the tee and the fan support outside of the ropes.

“That’s one thing I always say coming here to Toledo. You always get a great fan base, and that’s what we want. We want to grow the game and see women’s golf grow. It’s great to see.”

KUPCHO CLIMBS LEADERBOARD IN A PLACE SHE’S COMFORTABLE

It’s been a year of firsts for 2019 LPGA rookie Jennifer Kupcho, but this week is a different story at the Marathon Classic presented by Dana. As the 2018 NCAA Individual Champion, Kupcho earned an exemption into the 2018 event where she took full advantage of her opportunity as she finished a career-best T16.

This week, Kupcho returns to Highland Meadows Golf Club making her sixth start as an LPGA Member and her past experience has paid off as she heads into the weekend at 9-under par and tied for third.

“I love this course,” Kupcho said. “Even walking in the practice rounds I just looked at it and I was like, Wow, I love being here. It’s just a great place, and I really like being able to come out here and be like, Oh, I know where everything, where the driving range and everything like that is. It’s just more of a comfort thing for me.”

The inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion tied her career-best round of 66 on Friday and said she’s finally seeing her game come together.

“I’m hitting the ball really good this week, reading the putts well, and putting good rolls on them. Obviously walking off 17 and 18, two par-5s to finish you expect to get at least one. Left 17 short and just pushed 18’s putt. It’s a little upsetting, but it’s exciting to see that I can do it and hopefully play well tomorrow.”

CIGANDA BATTLES FATIGUE

This week the LPGA Tour is at the eighth event of a 12-week stretch this summer and players are feeling it. Carlota Ciganda arrived at Highland Meadows Golf Club on Tuesday and was not feeling up to par but still managed to pull off a first-round 66 and then followed up with a second-round 68 on Friday. Ciganda heads into the third round at -8, just three strokes off Sei Young Kim’s lead.

“To be honest, I was really tired starting on Tuesday, and I pulled out of the pro-am because when I woke I had a headache and I wasn’t feeling very good,” said the 29-year-old Spaniard. “But then I was like just try your best. I had no expectations yesterday, just to try to play my best. Yesterday I just started very well hitting like 70, 80%; today the same.”

Ciganda is playing in her fourth consecutive event and has played seven of the last eight weeks with a top-10 finish and a top-15 finish in her last two starts, including a T6 finish at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G and a T15 at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to play very good this week. It’s golf, and I think I didn’t think too much about the results so I’m happy to be where I am. I’m just happy to play and post a good number,” said Ciganda.

LAST CHANCE TO QUALIFY FOR THE AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

The Marathon Classic presented by Dana is the final opportunity for LPGA players to earn a full exemption into the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open. After 72 holes, the top five LPGA Members that are not already exempt into the field will earn a spot into the season’s fifth major; provided they indicated to officials prior to the start of play that they would like to enter into the AIG Women’s British Open qualifier. In the event of a tie for the fifth position, the player ranked highest on the LPGA Official Money List as of the first round of the Marathon Classic will be the qualifier for the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open.

Through the second round in Sylvania the following players would punch their tickets to the major championship: Jennifer Kupcho, Youngin Chun, Christina Kim, Cheyenne Knight and Tiffany Joh.

Players will be competing on the Marquess’ Course at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, England this year, competing for a share of the $4.5 million purse, a $1.25 million purse increase announced by the R&A earlier this week.

CME GROUP CARES CHALLENGE – SCORE 1 FOR ST. JUDE

The CME Group Cares Challenge is a season-long charitable giving program that turns aces into donations. CME Group will donate $20,000 for each hole-in-one made on the LPGA Tour in 2019, with a minimum guaranteed donation of $500,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras made a hole-in-one on No. 8 from 122 yards using a 9-iron on Friday at the Marathon Classic. There are now 18 aces recorded this season and a total of $360,000 raised thus far.

PLAYER NOTES

Rolex Rankings No. 12 Sei Young Kim (67-64)

• Her score of 131 is her best 36-hole Marathon Classic scoring record; she previously shot 138 in 2015
• She hit 10 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens with 27 putts
• Kim is in her fifth year on the LPGA Tour; she eight wins in her career with her most recent win at the 2019 LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship
• This is Kim’s 15th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she has two additional top-10 finishes including a runner-up finish at the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open
• Kim is competing in her third Marathon Classic; she finished T14 in 2015 and T53 in 2018
• Kim represented Republic of Korea in the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing T25
• She won the 2015 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award, capturing three victories in her rookie season

Rolex Rankings No. 9 Jeongeun Lee6 (66-66)

• She hit 9 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens, with 28 putts
• Lee6 is making her first start at the Marathon Classic
• Lee6 is a 2019 LPGA Tour rookie; she earned her Membership by taking medalist honors at the 2018 LPGA Q Series
• Lee6 became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open
• This is Lee6’s 14th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; along with her major win she has five additional top-10 finishes
• She uses a 6 at the end of her last name as she is the sixth player named Jeongeun Lee6 in KLPGA history; her fan club in Korea is called “Lucky 6”
• Lee6 is also a member of the KLPGA Tour, where she has six career victories
• Lee6 currently leads the Rolex Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year standings with 889 points

QUICK HITS

• Defending champion Jasmine Suwannapura heads into the weekend T64 at even
• Monday qualifier Jessica Porvasnik (-2, 140), who is from Ohio, made the cut
• 77 players made the cut, which fell at 1-over par
• Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings projections show that no player can overtake No. 1 Sung Hyun Park and No. 2 Jin Young Ko this week
• Lizette Salas withdrew from the Marathon Classic before Round 2

TOURNAMENT SCORING RECORDS

18 holes: 60, Paula Creamer, first round, 2008

36 holes: 125, Paula Creamer, 2008

54 holes: 195, Eunjung Yi, 2009; Paula Creamer, 2008; Se Ri Pak, 1998

72 holes: 261 (-23), Se Ri Pak, 1998

The event from July 20-27 will for the first time include both male and female categories says the Amateur Boxing Association of Thailand (ABAT).

The men’s section has 8 divisions (49kg, 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 64kg, 69kg, 75kg and 81kg), while the women have four (48kg,51kg, 60kg and 69kg).

The winning team will also receive the prestigious King’s Cup and there will also be a prize for the week’s outstanding sportsman.

Boxers from 37 countries have confirmed their participation and more are expected to accept invitations and be added to the line-up.

ABAT president Pichai Chunhavachira said the association was spending Bt20 million to stage the event, which carries total prize-money of Bt3 million. The champion in each division will receive Bt45,000, while first runners-up get Bt22,500 each and second runners-up Bt15,000.

Starting the day with a five-shot lead, 22-year-old Chommapat seemed likely to cruise to victory early in the day as she fired two birdies to go to 13-under after just six holes.

However, her smooth run ended with three bogeys, including one at the last, as she signed off with a 10-under 206 at the Singha Park club. It was still just enough for her to finish one clear of teenager Kultida Pramphun.

“I got so excited,” said Chommapat, who comes from Kalasin province who won an All Thailand Golf Tour title at the same course in 2017.

“I had to sip water every hole and tried to walk slowly but I still couldn’t help feeling excited.

“Actually I was hoping to be under par on the day but the pin positions were tough for me. I had to putt past several slopes so I didn’t have many chances to make birdies.”

The maiden Thai LPGA winner went home Bt142,500 richer for her three days’ work and happy with her efforts.

“I’m super happy to have won my first title on tour. All the hard work finally paid off,” she said, adding that her goal was to produce better results on the Thai LPGA and China Tours.

Kultida also had an uneven round, trading three birdies with three bogeys after 13 holes before recovering with three birdies in the last four holes to card a three-under 69 and walked off with a runner-up cheque for Bt 96,285.

Last year’s Order of Merit winner Arpichaya Yubol ended up in a tie for third with Trichat Cheenglab, three off the pace, each taking home Bt56,528.

The seventh leg of the Thai LPGA championship is at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin from July 24-26.

Having qualified for The 148th Open by virtue of his Merit win on the Asian Tour last year, Sharma will be hoping to better his tied-51st finish from his Carnoustie debut in 2018, which was a breakthrough year for the 22-year-old.

He captured his second Asian Tour title at the Maybank Championship in Malaysia which proved pivotal to him winning the Merit title last year and became the youngest Indian to play in all four Major Championships in 2018, following the footsteps of Jeev Milkha Singh in 2007 and Anirban Lahiri in 2015 and 2016.

More groundbreaking achievements soon followed as he was conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award back home and named as the European Tour Rookie of the Year.

“It was a huge learning curve for me last year. I’ve played in some of the biggest events I could ever imagine and learned a lot. Obviously, the Asian Tour played a big role as the Tour gave me the chance to compete and develop my game,” said Sharma.

Sharma may not have reached the heights of last year where he reached a career-high of 64th place on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Ranked 201 in the world with only a tied-second result on his domestic circuit as his best result so far this year, he remains optimistic and knows he still has the game to underline his credentials as Asia’s number one player.

“I’m obviously a lot more mature this year and I just want to get back into the groove again of playing at my best again. I know I have the game to be among the best in the world and I just want to keep playing well and give my best shot,” said Sharma.

While Sharma will be making his second appearance at The Open, fellow Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, David Lipsky of the United States will be making his third.

The 2014 Merit winner finished tied-58th in 2015 and missed the cut in 2017.

Japan’s Yuta Ikeda, a two-time Asian Tour winner, will also be making his way to the Antrim coast after securing his 21st career win on Japan Golf Tour at the Mizuno Open, which was part of The Open Qualifying Series.

Ikeada, whose best finish of tied 38th in The Open came at Royal St George’s in 2011, will be playing The Open for the eighth time, and his fifth in a row.

“I am very happy to have qualified for The Open thanks to this victory. I was worried I might not be able to play in it this year so it is great to have the opportunity to play on the big stage again. I have played in The Open a number of times and I am happy to be going overseas to compete in the Championship again,” said the 33-year-old Japanese.