The entries for this year’s event closed last week with 2,639 athletes from 194 countries throwing in their hats to compete under the slogan “Dive into Peace”. They will be vying for 76 gold medals across six disciplines and 76 events.

The South Korean delegation is the largest-ever with 82 swimmers in 70 events and making their first-ever representation in the open water swimming and water polo competitions. Despite missing its biggest swimming star in history, Park Tae-hwan, the hopes of South Koreans are riding high on Kim Seo-yeong, regarded as the next big star in Korean swimming.

The host country will face a tough task in its quest to win its first medal since 2011, with world-class superstars like Katie Ledecky, Caeleb Dressel, Katinka Hosszu, Gary Hunt and Svetlana Kolesnichenko taking part. Park’s former rival Sun Yang of China will attempt to make history by becoming the first man to win four consecutive world championship titles in a single event.

One pack of swimmers that may miss the championships are the North Koreans, who have already missed the deadline for registration. As of yesterday morning, Pyongyang had yet to respond to calls by the South – including a personal invitation from Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-sup — to join the swimming competition.

Both the city and the organising committee for the world championship have agreed with FINA to leave the door open for the North Koreans until the very last minute.

The opening ceremony takes place today although a series of events held on Wednesday heralded the 17 days of festivities.

On Thursday, a K-pop concert was staged at May 18 Democracy Square, featuring Korean singers including Koyote, Mad Clown, Lee Hi, Dal Soobin, Kim Yon-ja and Winner. Other events were lined up at the square and across the Geumnam-ro area, the symbol of the country’s democracy and fighting ground for the pro-democracy protestors during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement of 1980.

After part one of the concerts, a rehearsal for the “water-mixing” ceremony – which literally mixes water from all across the world – was held. The ceremony is expected to be the highlight of the opening ceremony.

Today’s opening ceremony will kick off the events that will be held across six disciplines of swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water and high diving, at five venues — Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Centre, Nambu University Water Polo Competition Venue, Yeomju Gym. Artistic Swimming Competition Venue, Chosun University High Diving Competition Venue, Yeosu EXPO Ocean Park Open Water Swimming Competition Venue.

While most events will be held in Gwangju, the open water events will be held at the nearby coastal city of Yeosu, South Jeolla Province.

Organizers said that they had sold 315,000 of 419,000 tickets as of Wednesday, with events like the opening ceremony, high diving and open water swimming all sold out. The remaining tickets will be sold at the venues, via the homepage of the event, and also at 20 train stations across the country including Seoul, Yongsan, Cheongnyangni, Suwon and Daejeon.

Providing a helping hand to the athletes and visitors for the event will be 3,126 volunteers. They will be aided by the free Wi-Fi that is available on all city buses in Gwangju.

More information about the event is available at the homepage of the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju (https://www.gwangju2019.com) and is provided in Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese and French.

Alena Sharp

Sharp is looking for her third top-15 finish in the last four starts in Sylvania, while Chun is making her tournament debut.

Toledo native Stacy Lewis, Spain’s Azahara Munoz, Germany’s Caroline Masson and Sweden’s Jenny Haglund are one shot off the lead after opening the Marathon Classic at 6-under par. The first-round 65 ties Lewis’ best round of the 2019 season, while it is a season-best round for Masson and a career-best mark for Haglund.

Sharp holds a share of the first-round lead for the first time since 2014 and she said her hot start was due to her putting. In 2019, she has averaged 29.79 putts per round but during the first round she had just 25 putts.

“Definitely built my confidence, because last week I couldn’t make a putt,” Sharp said. “I hit it well and just couldn’t get the ball in the hole. They started going in today and I’m like, Well, that’s golf for you. Definitely as I made more and more just the hole looked bigger and seemed easier to make putts today than it has in the last couple weeks.”

Chun’s first-round 64 is her lowest round of the year by three strokes, after her round she said she hadn’t realized she reached 7-under par and was surprised to see her name on top of the leaderboard. “Well, honestly my driver wasn’t that good,” Chun said. “I don’t know how many fairways I hit today, but iron is so good. I mean, first year on LPGA, kind of tough year, but my shots getting better and better.”

Chun’s rookie season has been a learning experience for her, with just three cuts made in 11 starts. The 19-year-old is making her first start at the Marathon Classic this week.

“Kind of narrow fairways but small greens,” Chun said of Highland Meadows Golf Club. “So my dad told me, ‘If you’re going to put it on the green you’re gonna make lots and lots of birdie out here.’ I just focused on trying to make birdies.”

LEWIS SEES HARD WORK PAY OFF

After the 2018 Marathon LPGA Classic, 12-time LPGA winner Stacy Lewis said goodbye to the LPGA Tour for the rest of the season as she took time off to start her family. Lewis, who was born in Toledo, returned this week with daughter Chesnee in tow and did so in style by posting her best opening-round score at her hometown event on Thursday.

Lewis’ 6-under par 65 at Highland Meadows Golf Club ties her lowest round of the season, and she said she was thrilled to see her hard work pay off as she hit all 18 greens in regulation.

“I’ve been working on the ball striking a lot, so just really nice to see some results,” said Lewis. “Got a few putts to fall there on our last few holes. So just to get off to a good start in this tournament I feel like is always pretty tough. Finally got one this year.”

In 12 prior appearances at the Marathon Classic, Lewis has two top-10 finishes with a best finish of solo fifth in 2016.

“It’s a golf course I’m not necessarily 100% comfortable on,” said Lewis. “I just had some really good golf shots today. Had some easy tap-in birdies. I haven’t done that in the long time in general.”

MUNOZ CHIPS IN FOR EAGLE TO FINISH FIRST ROUND

In her seventh start at the Marathon Classic, Azahara Munoz shot a first-round 65 at Highland Meadows Golf Club on Thursday and is one stroke off the lead through 18 holes. In the three cuts she’s made in her previous six starts at this event, Munoz has not finished out the top 10 – she finished T10 in 2010, T8 in 2015 and T9 in 2016.

“When you shoot 65 you don’t miss much,” said Munoz, who tied her lowest Highland Meadows Golf Club score on Thursday. “I hit my driver much better today. I was struggling the last couple of weeks, so today was much better. Gave myself lots of chances from the fairway. When you’re in the fairway everything is much easier.”

With a new Ping driver in the bag, 31-year-old Munoz made three birdies on the back nine on Nos. 10, 13 and 17 before her closing eagle on No. 18, en route to her 6-under round. This was her fourth eagle of the 2019 season and she ranks in the top 10 for most birdies made on Tour this year- she now has a total of 221 birdies after her four made today.

“Obviously, I gave myself a pretty good chance for birdie, so that’s what I was hoping, just make up and down. You never complain when you chip in, especially on the last hole,” said Munoz. “Dinner is going to be much tastier.”

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 first round in Sylvania the following players would punch their tickets to the major championship: Youngin Chun, Cheyenne Knight, Linnea Strom, Aditi Ashok and Alana Uriell.

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. 675 Youngin Chun (64)

• Chun’s first-round 64 is her lowest round of the 2019 Tour season; her previous best is 67 which she shot in the second round of the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic
• She hit seven of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens
• Chun is a rookie on the LPGA Tour; she finished T13 at the inaugural LPGA Q-series to earn Priority List Category 14 status for the 2019 season
• This is Chun’s 12th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; she has made three cuts with a best finish of T65 at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic and the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give
• She competed in all 21 events on the Symetra Tour in 2018 and made 14 cuts
• Chun is competing in her first Marathon Classic

Rolex Rankings No. 123 Alena Sharp (64)

• Sharp’s first-round 64 ties her lowest round of the 2019 Tour season; she previously shot 64 in the third round of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give
• She hit 10 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens
• Sharp is in her 15th year on the LPGA Tour; she tied for 16th to earn exempt status for the 2006 LPGA season at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in 2005
• This is Sharp’s 13th event of the 2019 LPGA Tour season; her best finish is T6 at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and she has one additional top-10 finish where she finished T9 at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give
• Sharp is competing in her 13th Marathon Classic; her best finish is T10 in 2010
• Sharp represented Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing 30th

QUICK HITS

• The top six players on the leaderboard represent six different countries: Canada, Rep. of Korea, Spain, U.S., Germany and Sweden
• Defending champion Jasmine Suwannapura opened her title defense with a 1-under par 71
• 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
• Amateur Monday qualifier Lizzie Win, who is from Sylvania, fired an opening-round 71
• 58 players made birdie on the par-5 17th hole, this week’s Aon Risk Reward Challenge hole, no players were able to record an eagle on the hole in the first round
• The par-5 18th finishing hole played the easiest at Highland Meadows Golf Club on Thursday, with four players making eagles (Azahara Munoz, Jaye Marie Green, Jaclyn Lee, Anne van Dam), and only six players recording bogeys
• Five players were bogey-free on Thursday: Youngin Chun, Azahara Munoz, Jeongeun Lee6, Jenny Haglund and Brooke Henderson
• Amelia Lewis withdrew from the Marathon Classic after Round 1

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

AON RISK REWARD CHALLENGE HOLE

No. 17, par 5

SOCIAL MEDIA – #DriveOn

The August 4 final of leg of the Singha Run Series will help send national Paralympic athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Participants can choose either an 8K course (Bt800 entry fee) or 16k course (Bt1,0000). The entry fee gets you a free bib, meal and concert ticket.

Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, president of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand, said the support would boost Thai Paralympians to even greater feats after their record haul of six golds, six silvers and six bronzes at the 2016 meet in Rio.

“We’ve set our sights on improving our performance from the previous Paralympic Games,” a determined-looking Chutinant told media gathered at the Singha Complex on Thursday.

Pattaya Tadtong, London Games boccia gold medallist

Alongside him backing up that message was a dream team of Thai Paralympians, including 2012 table tennis gold medallist Rungroj Thainiyom, 2018 Asian Para Games shooting winner Anusorn Chaichamnan, and 2012 boccia champion Pattaya Tadtong, as well as world Para badminton champion Amnouy Wetwithan.

Rawin Chompunuchtanin of Boon Rawd Brewery would hand over proceeds from the run to the Paralympic Committee, as part of support ongoing since 2014.

“We’d like to invite Thai and foreign runners to join the event to show our support for para athletes who will also appear during the event,” said Rawin.

A live concert by Music Move artists Zeal and Season Five will bring a party vibe to the run.

To apply, visit www.singhaseriesrunthailand.com.

Flying the Thai flag for the Asian Tour, the quartet are proven winners in their own right and will now be seeking to extend their winning run at golf’s oldest Major which returns to the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush after 68 years.

No player in the elite field has ever contested a Major at Royal Portrush before and The 148th Open, which tees off from July 18-21, will now provide everyone with an equal chance as they tee off against the spectacular golfing links on the coast of north Antrim in Northern Ireland.

Kiradech, who is the highest ranked Thai at 51st on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), will be making his sixth appearance at The Open.

While he has missed the cuts in four of his previous appearances in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, a tied-75th finish saw him make the weekend rounds for the first time in Carnoustie last year.

As the first Thai golfer to hold a PGA TOUR card, Kiradech has since enjoyed an encouraging start in the United States with commendable results that include a tied-third and fifth finish at the WGC-Mexico Championship and AT&T Byron Nelson respectively this year.

“I’ve worked hard over the last few years and I’ve given myself some chances. I’m not far off from winning. It’s a dream come true and I hope I can make my country proud with my achievements.

“I want to do everything I can to win the biggest tournaments. That’s my goal,” said the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

Jazz, who is one spot below Kiradech on the OWGR, is also making waves on the international scene and will be teeing up at The Open for the second time after winning the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open.

“Playing in The Open last year was a huge moment in my career and I’m so happy to have qualified again by winning the Singapore Open. Getting a place in The Open is the best and I’m looking forward to the challenges at Royal Portrush,” said Jazz.

A fourth career victory and second of the year at the Kolon Korea Open elevated his status to a career-high of 52nd place on the OWGR.

The young Thai was also in contention at the PGA Championship in May and finished a commendable tied-14 place which was also the best result by a Thai at that Major.

“I’ve been playing quite consistently this year and I’m really pleased with how things are going for me at the moment. I heard the conditions at Royal Portrush are going to be very tough but I’m ready,” said Jazz, who is currently leading the Asian Tour Order of Merit and money list on the Japan Golf Tour.

Like Jazz, Prom is also making his second appearance at The Open. The two-time Asian Tour winner punched his ticket to The 148th Open with his tied-fifth finish in Singapore and will be hoping to extend his stay this time around at Royal Portrush.

“It’s nice to be going back to play in The Open this July for my second appearance in a Major championship. I still remember the experience of playing in The Open at Royal St George’s in 2011. It is one of the greatest Majors and I have been trying to qualify again ever since. I am happy to finally have the chance to play in The Open again,” said Prom.

Charoenkul, who finished second at Asian Tour Qualifying School in December last year to regain his Tour card, will meanwhile be making his debut at The Open after finishing tied-third at the Mizuno Open, which was part of The Open Qualifying Series on the Japan Golf Tour.

“This will be my first Major championship and it will be a valuable experience. I look forward to playing at Royal Portrush for the first time,” said Gunn.

Jasmine finished her final round going eagle-birdie to post an early 65, before enduring an hour-long wait for the final groups to finish up. She watched from the clubhouse as Brittany Lincicome missed a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to head into a playoff. She made a birdie on the par-5 18th to take home her first career LPGA trophy, and Wednesday at Highland Meadows Golf Club she reflected on the past year since her win.

“It definitely took a lot of pressure off from me,” she said of her victory. “I feel like I don’t need to concentrate on keeping my tour card. I’m actually concentrating on growing the game. Like my emotion, I feel way happier to play golf. I have more confidence and believe that there will be a good day for me and I probably win again sometime.”

Feeling confident is not something Jasmine is taking for granted after she fought her way back from back surgery all the way to the winner’s circle.

“That’s actually change a lot in many ways,” Jasmine said of her new-found confidence. “I feel like after I broke my back in ’16 and I have to scramble so hard to be on the tour and keep my card. I change my swing. I didn’t hit straight like before. So it took a lot of time and effort to change my swing and play in a game again. Winning, it’s like telling me that just don’t give up on things. You have to believe that you are good enough to be out here and then you good at what you’re doing.”

Jasmine will kick off her title defense on the 10th tee at 8:21 a.m. Thursday alongside Jeongeun Lee6 and Jaye Marie Green.

FASSI LUCKY AND LIVING THE DREAM

2019’s NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Individual champion Maria Fassi is making the fifth start of her LPGA professional career this week at the Marathon LPGA Classic presented by Dana. With her victory at the Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark., Fassi earned an exemption into the Marathon LPGA Classic field, which she ended up earning on her own merit under the current year re-shuffle category.

“Giving us a spot as amateurs sometimes for the NCAA winner, it’s huge. I think it’s a great motivation for us to work hard and to get after that national championship,” said Fassi, two-time winner of the ANNIKA Award, given to the top female collegiate golfer. “Because then you know you’re not only a national champion, but you’re playing on an LPGA Tour event. It’s great to have the opportunity that I have and I think I’m very lucky to have that.”

So far in 2019, Fassi has made two major appearances, a T12 finish at the U.S. Women’s Open and T48 at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with two additional starts before making her first Highland Meadows Golf Club appearance this week.

“I feel like I’m just so lucky to be living my dream, to have finished my college career doing it on such a high note, winning nationals at home. And now being on the LPGA, it’s amazing. It’s overwhelming at times, but been a great experience so far,” said Fassi.

Fassi will be teeing off the first tee at 12:59 p.m. with Emma Talley and Haru Nomura.

CARTA RELISHES OPPORTUNITY

Between graduating from Duke University and helping Duke to win the NCAA Team Championship, it’s been a whirlwind few months for Virginia Elena Carta. As an added perk for winning the championship, the victorious team selects one player to compete at this week’s Marathon LPGA Classic. Carta, who also had the chance to compete at the Marathon LPGA Classic after winning the 2016 NCAA Individual Championship, relishes the opportunities this event has given her.

“It gives us the opportunity as amateur players when we play NCAA to play in a professional event and get to play with the best fields in the country. I’m really thankful that I won Nationals individually three years, four years ago. To be back this year because we won it as a team is just a great experience,” said Carta making her second Marathon LPGA Classic start. “I know everybody is looking forward to this week. When we play Nationals, everyone is looking forward to win it to play in the Marathon Classic. So it’s just nice that it happened to be me. I’m grateful.”

While Carta is enjoying the opportunity to compete on the LPGA Tour, the 22-year-old Italian native not in a rush to turn professional. After this week, she plans to compete at the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship, followed by the U.S. Women’s Amateur before heading to the University of Cambridge. Carta will be playing for the Cambridge men’s golf team while pursuing her master’s degree in environmental policy, with a focus on sustainable development and small-scale farming. She doesn’t plan to turn professional until next summer.

She made the cut in her LPGA debut back at the 2016 Marathon LPGA Classic, but this week she’s set on enjoying her opportunity at Highland Meadows Golf Club.

“I think I really like this course because it reminds me of my home course back home. It has a look to it that I think it’s great. It’s in great shape. We had a lot of rain this week, but the course is beautiful anyway. I think the field itself makes this event such a great event. I remember three years ago I made the cut and I had a lot of fun in my first few days, and I hope to do the same this week.”

Carta will tee off the first round alongside Jennifer Kupcho and Cheyenne Woods at 7:48 a.m. off the 10th tee.

NOTABLE FIRST-ROUND GROUPINGS

Jasmine Suwannapura will kick off her title defense off the 10th tee at 8:21 a.m. alongside 2019 U.S. Women’s Open champion Jeongeun Lee6 and Jaye Marie Green

Major champions Brooke Henderson and Stacy Lewis will tee off alongside LPGA 72-hole scoring record holder Sei Young Kim off No. 10 at 8:32 a.m.

Highlighting the afternoon groups will be top-ranked American Lexi Thompson off the first tee at 1:32 p.m. with major champion So Yeon Ryu and Mariajo Uribe

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

The Marathon LPGA 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; however, they must have indicated to officials prior to the start of play that they would like to enter into the AIG Women’s British Open qualifier.

Last year, the following five players qualified for the AIG Women’s British Open with good finishes at the Marathon LPGA Classic: Jasmine Suwannapura, Daniela Darquea, Celine Herbin, Mina Harigae and Mel Reid.

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. In 2019 on the LPGA, players will compete for a record $70.2 million in total prize money; up $7.2 million over 2016 with the major prize money at $20.95 million.

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 Marathon Classic is the 17th. This par 5, which doglegs from right to left, challenges the player with a blind tee shot over a hill into a fairly narrow, tree-lined fairway. Any player aiming to reach the green in two will need to draw the ball off the tee because the slender fairway curves left in the landing area. A good drive will set up a second shot into a well-bunkered, tiny green. Should the player reach the green in two, she will likely be rewarded with a reasonably makeable eagle putt – given the relatively small area of the putting surface.

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

DALE PITTMAN 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 Dale Pittman, who has been a loyal volunteer with the Marathon LPGA Classic presented by Dana since the very first year in 1984.

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.

Mai was overpowered by Elsa Jacquemot of France 5-7 0-6 despite serving for the opening set 5-4. The Thai girl was bombarded with heavy groundstrokes from the 35^th-ranked opponent and lost nine games in a row.

Her third round appearance at the All England Club is the best effort by a Thai in the grass Major this year.

Born in the US, Mai is a daughter of Pimpisamai Kansuthi, a former Asian Games player along with Tamarine Tanasugarn in the Hiroshima Games back in 1994. She moved to Thailand three years ago to pursue a tennis career.

Her younger brother Tanapat is also a junior tennis player.

Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul 

Twenty tour packages to Switzerland will be given away during the last three days of the tournament, which will played at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium from July 30 to August 4.

Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul said each prize — a package for two — also consists of tickets to watch the BWF Badminton World Championships, which takes place from August 19-25 in Munchenstein, Switzerland.

“There is no tournament in the world that gives away such prizes to fans. Each package is worth Bt160,000, or around Bt3.2 in total,” said the Thai badminton chief at a press conference for the BWF World Tour 500 tournament at Anoma Hotel Bangkok on Wednesday.

Patama said the last player to win his or her match on each of the three days will pick the lucky winners from ticket tags of fans who must be present in the stadium.

The promotional campaign to attract fans have led to tickets for the last three days being sold out. Patama, however, said more seating could be arranged to respond to the growing demands.

The US$350,000 Toyota Thailand Open brings together one of the strongest fields, Patama said, adding, several world No 1 players, world champions and Olympic gold medallists have signed up for the competition.

“This is a World Tour 500 event but the quality of the players are like that of a World Tour 1000 level. But it will serve as a great opportunity for Thai players to sharpen their skills against the top players,” Patama said.

Two-time champion Ratchanok Intanon will spearhead the local challenge at the star-studded Open.

Ratchanok, who won the title twice — in 2013 and 2017 — will be making her first appearance in a home tournament since leading Thailand to a historic Uber Cup final in May last year in Nonthaburi province.

The world No 7, winner of two BWF World Tour events (Malaysia Masters and India Open) this year is among four locals in the women’s singles of the World Tour Super 500 tournament. She faces a qualifier in round one.

The others are Busanan Ongbamrungphan and Nitchaon Jindapol, who will meet in an all-Thai affair in the first round. Thai No 2 and world No 17 Pornpawee Chochuwong will take on 2016 winner Aya Ohori of Japan.

Defending champion and world No 2 Nozomi Okuhara of Japan will open her title defence campaign against Beiwen Zhang of the US while world No 3 Chen Yu Fei, the top seed, will meet An Se Young of South Korea.

In the men’s singles event, all the top four players led by No 1 and world champion Kento Momota of Japan have signed up for the competition. No 2 Shi Yu Qi of China, No 3 Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan and No 4 Chen Long, the 2011 victor, plus reigning champion Kanta Tsuneyama, No 12, will make the battle for the title one of the toughest ever.

World No 18 Khosit Phetpradab and No 19 Kantaphon Wangcharoen, along with No 21 Sitthikom Thammasin, are the three Thai hopes in the men’s singles draw. World junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn and 2016 champion Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk will enter the qualifying competition.

Apart from Ratchanok, mixed doubles specialists Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanacha are the other Thai favourites to steal the limelight at home.

The world No 4 pair, who won their only title together this year in the Singapore Open, will play qualifiers in the first round.

Among the notables are Thitipong Varokorn (Kawasaki), who is making a post-injury comeback, along with Anucha Nakcharoen (Yamaha) and former World Moto 3 Championship rider Nakarin Athiratphuvipat (Yamaha).

Thitipong, back after a long break caused by an injury at the World Superbike Championship in March. He has been practising in Rayong with teammate Chaivichit Nissakul and said he plans to compete this weekend.

“Right now my body has recovered by 60 per cent and I am presently doing 3-5 hours of physical therapy to keep the muscles in shape,” he said.

The plan is to take things slowly, Thitipong said.

“We are not in a hurry and we’ll take only what we can achieve, at least to get some points from the first round,” he added. “It’s also a good test, and I will know exactly how much I have recovered.”

The practice round will be held on July 12 while qualifying takes place on July 13. Race day is Sunday, with a live telecast on True4U from 3.30-5.30pm and on Chang International Circuit’s Facebook page.

Mai Napatt Nirundorn and Pimpisamai Kansuthi 

The daughter of former national player Pimpisamai Kansuthi, she relied on her solid defence and mixed up her shots to tackle the powerful groundstrokes of her opponent. She prevailed in one hour and 48 minutes, avenging her 3-6 2-6 loss to Sohyun, the world No 19 in the junior rankings, in Roehampton last week.

Appearing in her first Major, Mai is the last Thai hope left in the tournament. Earlier ninth-seeded and Thai No 1 junior Mananchaya Sawangkaew was beaten by American Elizabeth Mandlik 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 9-11 while Tossaporn Naklo was sent packing by third-seeded Chinese player Qinwen Zheng 0-2 0-6.

In today’s third round actions, Mai, who is currently No 66 in the world rankings, is to play the 35th-ranked Elsa Jacquemot of France on court No 5 starting at 6.30pm. Jacquemot beat Oksana Selekhmeteva of Russia 7-5 6-1 in the previous round.

Meanwhile, Mai’s mother Pimpisamai says modelling agency MiLK management London has shown interest in the Thai teenager. However, her family is still considering the approach, noting that Mai’s priority remains tennis.

The 144-player field features Rolex Rankings No. 3 Minjee Lee, top-ranked American No. 4 Lexi Thompson, top-ranked Canadian No. 8 Brooke Henderson and 2019 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Jeongeun Lee6. This week marks the 19th tournament of what has been an exciting 2019 LPGA season, which has seen four Rolex First-Time Winners along with 15 different tournament winners.

At the 2018 Marathon LPGA Classic, in her 121st start on the LPGA Tour, Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura finally found the winner’s circle. After Brittany Lincicome couldn’t convert a birdie putt on the 72nd hole, the 2018 event headed to a playoff with Suwannapura perfectly playing the par-5 18th to birdie and take home her first career LPGA trophy.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MARATHON LPGA CLASSIC

• This is the 34th playing of the Marathon LPGA Classic, dating back to 1984 and the inaugural Jamie Farr Toledo Classic
• Famed actor and Toledo native Jamie Farr, well-known as “Klinger” on the TV show “M*A*S*H,” hosted the tournament through 2012
• Se Ri Pak has the most Marathon LPGA Classic victories with five (1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2007) and still holds the 72-hole scoring record of -23
• Players from the U.S. have won the tournament 13 times, the most of any country; however, the last American winner was Paula Creamer in 2008
• Last year, Jasmine Suwannapura defeated Brittany Lincicome with birdie on the first playoff hole to win her first LPGA Tour victory; 2018 was the 11th year the event went to extra holes
• The Marathon LPGA 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 will earn a spot into the season’s fifth major

LEWIS TRENDING UP AT THE RIGHT TIME

After the 2018 Marathon LPGA Classic, 12-time LPGA winner Stacy Lewis hung up her clubs for a few months as she took time off to start her family. Lewis, who was born in Toledo and has family in the area, returns this week as a new mom with daughter Chesnee in tow. Lewis grew up attending this event as a young aspiring golfer, and this week she is making her 13th start of the event.

“I was that little girl that was running around getting autographs,” Lewis reflected on Tuesday in Sylvania. “Just to think that I get to do now the same thing with my daughter and I get to bring her here and she gets to do that one day. I was thinking about that today. It’s really special. To think that we’ve had this tournament long enough for that too is pretty amazing.”

It’s been a season of adjustments for the new mom, in 12 starts she has made eight cuts with four top-15 finishes and she said she’s trending in the right direction.

“It’s been a little bit of a struggle golf-wise just getting the body to come back and figuring out a routine with Chesnee. But I really feel like in Arkansas I made some strides ball striking-wise and just cleaning up little stuff, and I’m actually really excited with the way things are trending. The stretch of tournaments coming up is important for Solheim and going over to the British, one of my favorite tournaments of the year. I also have two weeks by myself where I actually get some sleep, so I’m kind of excited. While I’ll miss Chesnee, I’m excited to have a couple weeks to really get to focus on me and my golf and hopefully get a couple good weeks overseas.”

HENDERSON BRINGS BEST STRATEGY BACK TO HIGHLAND MEADOWS 

Nine-time LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson returns to the Marathon LPGA Classic presented by Dana for her 16th start of the 2019 season. After spending a week off after a six-week stretch of competition, Henderson is gearing up for a four-week stretch that includes back-to-back majors.

“I think it’s going to require a lot of energy the next four weeks. It’s exciting to be back here where I finished so well last year,” said Henderson who finished in solo third in 2018. “It was really fun to be in contention and leading the tournament most of the weekend. Hopefully I can build off that momentum this year and get right back into that position.”

Henderson’s 2019 wins at the LOTTE Championship and the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give nudged her to a total of nine career wins, becoming Canada’s most decorated golfer on both the men’s and women’s Tours. This week, Henderson brings her experience and confidence to Sylvania.

“I think ball-striking is really key around here. Hitting the ball in the correct spots off the tee,” said Henderson, returning to Highland Meadows Golf Club for the fourth time in her career. “Then you got to hit it close on these greens and roll in a few putts. I think I learned my best strategy for the course here last year. Hopefully I can just build on that.”

ROOKIE KUPCHO FINDS COMFORT IN FAMILIARITY

It’s not often a player comes to a familiar place during their rookie season, but at this week’s Marathon LPGA Classic 2019 rookie Jennifer Kupcho is right at home.

After winning the 2018 NCAA Individual Championship at Wake Forest, Kupcho earned an exemption into the 2018 Marathon LPGA Classic. Kupcho took advantage of her opportunity last year at Highland Meadows as she fired a career-best 66 in the third round and finished a career-best T16 all with her dad, Mike, on the bag.

This week, the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion, is making just her sixth start of the year after she deferred her LPGA status to complete her degree. She’s searching for her first top-20 finish of 2019 at a place she has a history.

“I mean, obviously my dad caddied so it was a lot of fun,” Kupcho said of her experience in 2018. “I mean, I was playing really well and just out there. I love this course. I mean, just pulling in yesterday I was like, Wow, this feels so natural, versus going up to every other LPGA event and you’re like, ‘where am I going, where is this, what do I do?’

“So, it definitely feels more natural and I’ve been here before, so that’s nice.”

RACE TO THE CME GLOBE UPDATE

Heading into the 19th week of the 2019 Race to the CME Globe, two-time 2019 winner Jin Young Ko holds a narrow lead over Rolex Rankings No. 1 Sung Hyun Park with 2,412 points and 2,055 points, respectively. Fellow two-time 2019 winner Brooke Henderson is in third with 1,975 points followed by 2019 HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open winner Minjee Lee with 1,877 points.

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

PURSE

$1.75 million USD; winner’s portion is $262,500

AON RISK REWARD CHALLENGE HOLE

No. 17, par 5