Making her third start of the 2019 season, Jutanugarn feels the unfaltering support at Siam Country Club Pattaya and hopes to provide her fans with a great performance.

“I’m going to say I always love being back here because all of the fans here, they give the best support ever,” said Jutanugarn who is making her eleventh career appearance at the Honda LPGA Thailand. “Every time I still get nervous, every time because there are so many fans coming to cheer for me. So there’s are a little extra expectations, but I’m hoping to do my best every week.”

Jutanugarn couldn’t name just one thing that makes the week at home special for her but the 10-time LPGA Tour champion was not shy about sharing where her focus lies outside the golf course.

“To be honest, I love the food here, so I’m going out and keep having good food all the time.” Her favorite Thai dish? “I would go with fried fish with fish sauce. That’s my favorite ever. I love that one.”

Jutanugarn will tee off at 9:50 a.m. on No. 1 with 2016 Honda LPGA Thailand winner Lexi Thompson and 2018 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Jin Young Ko.

SUNG HYUN PARK AND SO YEON RYU MAKE FIRST 2019 START

While Ariya Jutanugarn and Minjee Lee jump-started their season with two events already on record, Republic of Korea’s So Yeon Ryu and Sung Hyun Park are both making their season debut in the Land of Smiles.

“I feel really great to be here,” said Ryu who had a runner-up finish at the 2017 Honda LPGA Thailand. “I’m really happy to be back to the road and looking forward to meeting a lot of Thai fans this week.”

For Park, spending several “golf-free” weeks to travel without picking up any clubs was the key to mentally prepare for a strong start to her third season on the LPGA Tour.

“Last year, I felt a little uncomfortable with my game at the beginning of the season and also felt a lot of pressure,” said the world No. 2, who finished T22 at Siam C.C. last year. “This year I’d just like to get comfortable. So that’s what’s going to be different this season-just staying comfortable throughout the season.”

FIRST LPGA TOUR CAREER START FOR ROOKIE PAJAREE ANANNARUKARN

Ever since 2019 LPGA Tour rookie Pajaree Anannarukarn started playing golf, she looked up to the Jutanugarn sisters as role models and made it her life goal to make it to the LPGA Tour, just like her heroes have done. Anannarukarn will make her LPGA Tour debut as a professional, playing with American Emma Talley and Republic of Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim in Round 1 of the Honda LPGA Thailand.

“I’ve been coming here to the tournament and watching them play, ever since I started playing golf when I was eight or nine years old,” said the 19-year-old from Bangkok, Thailand. “I was very inspired because they were still young and playing as professionals. They were my inspiration and that’s what motivated me and now I get to play with them, so it’s very special.”

In 2018, Anannarukarn played a full season on the Symetra Tour with four top-10 finishes and placed T39 at the inaugural LPGA Q-series, locking up her LPGA Tour card for the 2019 season.

“I feel very lucky that this day has come. I’m very excited because even though it’s my second time playing in the Honda LPGA Thailand, it’s more special because it’s the first as a pro LPGA player. Playing on the LPGA Tour is like a dream come true so I’m looking forward to having a great year out her.”

PIMPICHAKORN “FILM” PHOOIN NAMED AWARD RECIPIENT FOR LPGA’S AXA XL LPGA VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

The AXA XL LPGA Volunteer Service Award is a program launched in 2018 to recognize exemplary volunteers at each LPGA tournament. Pimpichakorn Phooin, or known by her nickname “Film,” is this week’s award recipient. Film has served as a standout volunteer as the transportation and information desk attendant and after two consecutive years of service at the Honda LPGA Thailand, she has become a member of the volunteer staffing team due to her enthusiasm for the LGPA and her tireless work ethic.

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

TOURNAMENT SCORING RECORDS

18 holes: 62, Jessica Korda (second round), 2018

36 holes: 128, Jessica Korda, 2018

54 holes: 196, Jessica Korda, 2018

72 holes: 263, Jessica Korda, 2018

    Pacquiao, the only fighter to win world titles in eight different weight divisions, said he and his wife have even made a point not to have gloves and equipment at home.

The boxer, known for his rags-to-riches climb from the street, has tried to push his son Emmanuel Jr, who is known Jimuel, to choose another path.

“It pains me that he is boxing because I know how hard it is. I told him, ‘Daddy only went into boxing because of poverty… You, you don’t need to box’,” Pacquiao said on broadcaster ABS-CBN.

    “But he said: ‘Daddy, like you boxing is my passion also. I want to be a representative of this country as an athlete’,”  Pacquiao added.

Pacquiao made the comments after a video of Jimuel sparring during an exhibition match was posted on Facebook.

“His mommy had cried several times telling him, ‘Don’t go into boxing, son’,” Pacquiao said of his wife, Jinkee, who had also urged the 40-year-old boxer to retire.

“He really wants to do it,” he added.

The younger Pacquiao wouldn’t be the first son of a high-profile boxer to follow dad’s lead. The sons of British boxers Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, as well as American slugger Joe Frazier became fighters.

The Facebook footage shows the younger Pacquiao sending his opponent to his knees with aggressive moves reminiscent of his father. Jimuel was wearing gloves and gear branded “Pacman”, his dad’s nickname.

The elder Pacquiao was watching the match through a video call and was seen talking to his son before it started.

An aide for Pacquiao told AFP Jimuel took up boxing only in December, a month before his father easily defeated Adrien Broner in Las Vegas.

As for his own career, Pacquiao said he was still eager for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather but had yet to discuss his next fight with adviser Al Haymon.

Pacquiao in October signed with Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions group after being promoted by Top Rank’s Bob Arum for the past 14 years.

Pacquiao said he was open to fighting unbeaten US “super champion” Keith Thurman, Errol Spence Jr or Britain’s Amir Khan.

Klopp’s side were frustrated by a disciplined Bayern display in the last-16 first leg at Anfield.

The usually free-scoring Reds now face a daunting task in the second leg at the Allianz Arena on March 13.

Bundesliga champions Bayern have lost only two of their last 26 home Champions League games, winning 22 of those.

But Liverpool boss Klopp is convinced his side have nothing to fear in Germany.

“The positive is of course the result is ok, the best draw we can get. Yes we can play better, we should play better,” Klopp said.

“The tie is not over. We said that. We had to create the basis tonight that we can use in the second leg.

“It was a big fight. We had the bigger chances. It’s not a dream result but it is a good one. We can work with that.”

Liverpool’s progress to last season’s Champions League final was marked by a series of swaggering displays at Anfield.

But Klopp admitted the well-drilled Bayern defence didn’t allow Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to click into gear.

“It was not a day when we clicked in the first minute. Bayern are physically very strong and it was difficult to come through,” he said.

“We made our lives more difficult with the last pass today.

“I don’t know how often, at least 10 times there was a promising situation or a good counter-attack. We immediately shot into their legs, it doesn’t make much sense.

“We had our moments but in these moments we have to score. Then the game can change completely.”

Klopp had expected Bayern, hit by injuries and suspension, to adopt a cautious approach and the result was a hard-fought but hardly action-packed encounter.

“When Bayern are in trouble, they get really serious like this. That was how it was. I didn’t expect them to play attacking football,” he said.

“We played against an outstanding side. I’m not over the moon, but I’m completely ok with the result.

“It was not a game we will remember in 20 years.”

Dubai-based Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic claimed a 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach the third round as Osaka made 25 unforced errors.

The rout, which featured seven breaks of the Osaka serve, took barely an hour, sending Mladenovic into a Wednesday contest with Carla Suarez Navarro.

“I played pretty bad, you have days like that. You just have to find a way to, like, win no matter what the situation is,” Osaka said.

“(My serve) was a disaster. I haven’t been practising well recently, it would go away during the matches. I was kind of counting on that — it didn’t happen.

“But even if I don’t win any matches for the rest of the year, I wouldn’t say I’m concerned. I think I’m pretty young. I still feel like I have a lot to learn.

“After I lose a sort of bad match, I’m just looking forward to the next tournament.”

The second set was riddled with seven consecutive breaks of serve before Mladenovic finished off the job with a winner to the empty court on match point.

Osaka stunned the tennis world last week by announcing her split from coach Sascha Bajin despite winning back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the US and Australian Opens.

She said earlier this week that she would not prioritise “success over happiness” when asked about the sacking, and she never looked like winning in Dubai as she also served five double faults.

Earlier on Tuesday, Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova both won their opening matches, while Elina Svitolina made a strong start to her bid for a third straight title.

Kvitova, the 2013 winner, recovered from losing a first-set tiebreak to defeat Katerina Siniakova  6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-4 and squeeze into the third round.

Halep, Dubai champion in 2015, saw off 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

The Romanian said she is still feeling the effects of her weekend final defeat in Doha by Elise Mertens.

“It was a good match because I won it. I tried to finish the points faster because I’m a little bit tired,” Halep said.

“She played well, the level was pretty good. At some points I really ran very well. I’m confident. I feel good on court even if I’m tired.”

A third former world number one also advanced as Angelique Kerber beat Dalila Jakupovic 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.

Kvitova, Wimbledon champion in 2011 and 2014, said she was unfazed about the early midday start to her match.

“I don’t really care if I play the first match,” the Australian Open runner-up said. “Now I’m done, so I have a free afternoon.

“I’m not sure what I’m pleased with… maybe with my comeback at the end.”

– Svitolina benefits from Jabeur injury –

Local favourite Ons Jabeur was forced to retire with the Tunisian trailing Svitolina 7-6 (7/4), 4-0.

Jabeur took a fall late in the opening set, rolling her ankle while also hitting her shoulder.

She took a medical timeout out but was only able to carry on in the second set for four games.

Third seed Svitolina is hoping to become the first women to win three Dubai titles.

“That is a big motivation for me here,” the Ukrainian said. “Today I didn’t really feel in a match mood, I don’t know why.

“I was struggling a bit, I had a very slow start. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

“I told myself that I’m here to make history of the tournament.”

Elsewhere, fourth seed Karolina Pliskova continued her good run of form after reaching the semi-finals at Melbourne Park by edging out former Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

The Spanish side had most of the chances at the Groupama Stadium, with Luis Suarez firing just wide in the second half, but it was Lyon who came the closest when Martin Terrier hit the bar early on.

Ernesto Valverde’s side once again left frustrated on the road at the business end of the competition, and have now gone six away matches without winning in the Champions League knockout rounds, scoring just a single goal in that time. It is a run that goes back three years.

Desperate to end Real Madrid’s recent European dominance, Barca must now finish the job when the teams meet again at the Camp Nou on March 13, but Lyon remain very much in the tie.

Barcelona’s form needs to improve between now and then, though — the Catalans have drawn four of their last five matches in all, and have scored just once, from a penalty, in their last three outings.

With Arthur missing due to injury, Valverde opted to play Sergi Roberto in midfield here, leaving the out-of-form Philippe Coutinho on the bench alongside Arturo Vidal.

That may have been an acknowledgement that the visitors were wary of Lyon’s flying left-back Ferland Mendy, who has been linked with Barca in some quarters.

The visitors were certainly right to be wary of a Lyon side whose best performances this season have come against the big boys — four points from a possible six against Manchester City in the group stage and a recent win at home to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.

– Thunderous strike –

The French club were without their World Cup-winning captain Nabil Fekir due to suspension though, and it was the 21-year-old Terrier who was surprisingly handed a start in his place.

Terrier is an unassuming talent, but he delivered the most exciting moment of the first half for the crowd of almost 58,000 with a thunderous strike from 20 yards out in the ninth minute that was tipped onto the bar by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The same player later shot well over at the end of a fantastic move from the home side, while Houssem Aouar had earlier been denied by the goalkeeper, but it was Barcelona who enjoyed the longer spells of possession.

The Catalans looked more assured on the ball, at least until they reached the Lyon penalty area.

Ousmane Dembele — one of two Frenchmen in the away line-up — came closest for them in the first half, but their best chances came after he had been replaced by Coutinho midway through the second period.

Suarez came within inches of breaking the deadlock 20 minutes from the end, firing narrowly wide with a first-time shot from Jordi Alba’s cutback.

Coutinho then had a powerful shot beaten away by Anthony Lopes, with the Lyon goalkeeper also frustrating Messi and Sergio Busquets as Barcelona dominated but departed without a potentially precious away goal.

At least they extended their unbeaten record against Lyon to seven matches, but there is still hope for the French club ahead of the return.

The 15-year-old Atthaya, the youngest Ladies European Tour winner at 14 in May 2017, when she was 14, and Pajaree are among four young Thais lining up in the country’s richest golf event.

They, along with Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras and Benyapa Niphatsophon, the winner of the national qualifying tournament, will join seasoned pros Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Pornanong Phatlum and Thidapa Suwannapura in the hunt to become the first Thai to triumph in their home LPGA event.

“I’m 100 per cent ready as I just finished training with the national team at the Phoenix Gold (Golf and Country Club, also in Chon Buri) ,” said Atthaya, winner of the 2018 Youth Olympic mixed doubles gold medal with Vanchai Luangnithikul.

Atthaya Thitikul 

“This is a big event in Thailand, so I’m ready to perform my duty as best as I can.”

Sloping, fast greens at the par-72 course still remain pebbles in the shoes of local contenders, however. The best result achieved to date by a Thai remains the second-placed finish by Ariya in 2013 and Moriya last year.

“The course is in perfect condition. The greens are firm and fast. So approach shots will be tough this year,” added Atthaya, who finished in a tie for 37th two years ago.

Pajaree Anannarukarn 

Pajaree, 19, is also determined to shine this week after playing her first LPGA event at the same venue in 2017, when she ended back in joint 64th.

“The green speeds is quite fast. I need to focus on my putts this week and try to get used to the green speeds in order to achieve a good result,” said Pajaree, who last year recorded four top-10 finishes in 20 starts on the Symetra Tour, the official developmental tour in women’s golf.

Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras

Pannarat will be making her third appearance in the 70-field tournament after finishing 65th in 2016 and in a tie for 64th in 2017.

“I feel more confident this year and hope to finish in a higher position. The greens are tricky as usual,” said the 21-year-old Pannarat, who is in her fourth year on the LPGA Tour.

Six featuire stars – In Gee Chun of South Korea, Pannarat, Suzuka Yamaguchi of Japan, Georgia Hall of England, pin-up girl Munie He of China and Paula Creamer of the US – dressed in Thai traditional silk costumes for a photocall yesterday.  They also learned embroidery handwork, which was part of the promotional activities in the build-up to the tournament.

Ariya Jutanugarn 

Earlier in the day, world No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn, former world No 1 Shan Shan Feng of China, Nasa Hataoka of Japan, Benyapa and amateurs Atthaya and Ribka Vania of Indonesia an took part in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities at Kledkaew School in Sattahip, Chonburi. The golfers helped renovating school playground and gardens and provided books and stationary to students.

The 28-year-old Nisbet, who hails from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, overturned a six-shot deficit when he closed with a superb nine-under-par 62 to win by two shots for his maiden Asian Tour title at the Millbrook Resort 12 months ago.

He eagled the 10th hole for the second straight day and nailed four consecutive birdies in his closing five holes to end his campaign in style with his closing 62 going into the tournament’s 99-year history books as one of the finest closing rounds.

The Australian, who dropped only two shots that week, broke the tournament record set by Rodger Davis (262) in 1986 with his aggregate of 258. His 27-under-par total also bettered the lowest score to par held previously by Kel Nagle on 26-under-par in 1964.

Buoyed by happy memories and positive vibes, Nisbet is eager to return to his winning ground and get his title defence underway at the NZ$1,250,000 (approx. US$850,000) event, which will be contested once again across two spectacular golf courses – The Hills and Millbrook Resort.

“The Hills and the Millbrook resort are very special courses to me and I love the whole area in Arrowtown and Queenstown. I am pretty excited just to go back and defend my title. I have been playing well the last few months so my game is slowly improving.

“I want to be competitive at the New Zealand Open and do everything I can to be in the mix again. It’s been a great experience playing in Asia. I got the opportunity to play in Asia thanks to my victory last year. I learned a lot about each event,” said Nisbet.

Nisbet will be vying for top honours alongside Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, who leads the latest Habitat for Humanity Standings, as well as Shiv Kapur of India in the event that is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

Other notable players in the field include three-time Asian Tour winner Poom Saksansin of Thailand, Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines and New Zealander Ryan Fox, who just claimed his maiden Asian Tour title in Australia last week.

The tournament, which is featuring on the Asian Tour for the second straight season, incorporates a unique Pro-Am format which brings together a prestigious blend of professional and amateur golfers.

Founded in 1907, the tournament is one of New Zealand’s leading sporting events with a long and prestigious history. It will be played for the 100th time in 2019.

Bayern have won the Bundesliga for the past six years since Klopp’s Dortmund claimed back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.

Dortmund also lost the Champions League final to Bayern in 2013 and the rivalry between the two was intensified as Bayern picked off some of Klopp’s best players in Mario Goetze, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski.

“It’s nothing, not a little bit personal,” said Klopp on Monday. “There were never any negative things with Bayern but when we played them or when they bought our players how could I be happy and say ‘Great, good idea I’ll bring him in my car.’

“That was not nice for us at Dortmund but it’s part of the business. In these moments I was not happy, but it is long ago.”

Despite reaching four semi-finals and a quarter-final since 2013, Bayern have not added to their five European Cup wins since Arjen Robben’s late winner at Wembley six years ago.

— Unfinished business —

Liverpool also came close to adding to their five European crowns last season when losing out to Real Madrid in the final, but Klopp believes the fact his side are even considered contenders for the title now is a sure sign of progress since he was hired in 2015.

“The best thing of all the things we did so far since we are together is that we are a real competitor again. That is of course not enough, but it is a big step,” added Klopp.

“Being not only part of the competition but people thinking we can beat Bayern, that’s a big thing. The story so far is a nice one but not finished yet.”

Liverpool have had 10 days to prepare for Bayern’s visit, but despite the lay-off Klopp still has a team selection headache.

Virgil van Dijk is suspended, Joe Gomez is sidelined with a lower leg fracture and Dejan Lovren faces a race against time to recover from a hamstring injury, so Joel Matip and Fabinho are expected to form a make-shift centre-back pairing.

Roberto Firmino also missed training on Monday due to a virus making the Brazilian forward a doubt.

However, Klopp is hoping the power of Anfield’s famous atmosphere on a European night will give his side the extra helping hand they need to take a lead to Germany in three weeks’ time.

“In Germany a lot of people talk now about the atmosphere at Anfield. There was a lot of talk that we are maybe the most emotional club in world football,” added Klopp.

“Emotion in my opinion is a very positive thing, so let’s show that tomorrow night.”

Bayern’s slow start to the Bundesliga season put coach Niko Kovac immediately under pressure in his first campaign in charge.

But the Croatian refused to countenance whether he faces the sack should Bayern fail to make the last eight for the first time since 2012 despite being handed a devilishly difficult draw.

“If you look at what Liverpool did in the Champions League last season and the Premier League this season, it is the most difficult draw we could get,” said Kovac.

“It is not about me tomorrow. It is about the club and the team.”

Bayern could also be without some key players as Franck Ribery and Jerome Boateng did not travel with the rest of the squad.

Ribery will join up with his teammates after attending the birth of his daughter, while Boateng is suffering from gastroenteritis but could still travel if his condition improves.

Sarri faces a fight to save his job after FA Cup holders Chelsea crashed to a 2-0 fifth round defeat at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Ander Herrera headed United into the lead from Paul Pogba’s cross in the 31st minute.

France star Pogba doubled United’s advantage on the stroke of half-time when he met Marcus Rashford’s cross with a diving header.

Sarri endured chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as furious Chelsea fans showed their frustration at the club’s fifth defeat in their last 10 games.

Chelsea’s stars, publicly criticised by their manager on several occasions this term, hardly looked to be battling to keep the Italian as they failed to muster a shot on target after the 11th minute.

Sarri’s fragile relationship with his players, combined with the mutinous atmosphere among supporters, increased the feeling that the former Napoli boss might not survive until the end of his first season with Chelsea.

Demanding Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has acted quickly in the past when managers have been perceived to have lost the support of the squad.

But Sarri is adamant he isn’t concerned about his perilous position and he claimed he is solely focused on salvaging his club’s turbulent season.

Asked if he was worried Abramovich might be ready to wield the axe, Sarri said: “It’s not my problem.

“I was only worried about my position when I was in League 2 in Italy, not now.

“I am worried about the results, not about the fans. Of course I can understand the situation.

“I can understand our fans, because the result wasn’t really good. We are out of the FA Cup.”

Following widespread reports that Sarri’s players are underwhelmed by his stubborn refusal to change his tactics, the 60-year-old did make the alarming admission that he wasn’t certain he still had their backing.

“Of course I’m not sure, but I think so. I think the situation with the players is very good in terms of our relationship but that’s not so important,” he said.

“What’s important is to play and get good results.”

– Sarri taunted –

Chelsea supporters called for their club’s former legend Frank Lampard, now in charge at Derby, to be hired and directed foul-mouthed abuse at Sarri, who suffered chants of “F*** Sarri-ball” in a scathing reference to his failing tactics.

“Not really very well, but sometimes yes. For everything there is the first time,” he said when quizzed on if he heard the taunts from his own fans.

Sarri believes his situation will be improved significantly if Chelsea can string together a winning run, starting with Thursday’s Europa League last 32 second leg against Malmo and the League Cup final against Manchester City on Sunday.

“It’s really very easy. If we are able to win three or four matches in a row, it will be easy. Of course it’s difficult to win five matches in a row,” he said with a curious smirk that suggested he didn’t really believe his own outward optimism.

“We need of course more aggression, more determination in the situation inside our box and inside the opposing box.

“My job is to work with my players to try and improve in a few days because we conceded the second goal without determination or aggression.

“The difference was there. We played 78 balls in the opposing box and United only 16 balls our box. We are supposed to win.”

Having previously questioned whether his players understood his football philosophy, Sarri repeated that complaint.

“Not completely at the moment because, especially in a situation like the second half, we have to move the ball faster mentally and materially,” he said.

“We need more movements without the ball and less individual actions.”