The Thongchai Jaidee Foundation will be contested at the 13th Military Circle Golf Course, where the former world No 27 first played from the age of 16. It will be the first time any international event has been staged in his home town.

“I want to prove that you can start playing in a course that is not so perfect but you can grow up and compete at a world-class level,” said the 49-year-old Thongchai, winner of eight European Tour titles.

“I want to share this experience with my fellow players and prove this course is good enough to host an international event.”

As the competition coincides with the province’s King Narai Reign Fair, Thongchai will bring Thai tradition into the tournament as players will dress in traditional Thai costumes during the welcome party and even during the pro-am event the day before the tournament proper.

Tournament staff will also be donning traditional uniform throughout the event.

“The whole town will wear traditional costume, so I would like to comply with that. It’s a great opportunity for us to show our culture,” he added.

The Thongchai Jaidee FOundation is jointly-sanctioned by the ADT and the All Thailand Golf Tour, and is the second ADT in Thailand this year after last month’s Boonchu Ruangkit Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima.

2018 ADT No 1 Miguel Carballo of Argentina and 2017 No 1 Pannakorn Uthaipas are among the contenders this week. So are the in-form Itthipat Buranatanyarat, who leads the current rankings following his win in Boonchu Ruangkit last month, plus Asian Tour champions Natipong Srithong, Rattanon Wannasrichan and Chapchai Nirat, who won the event in 2016.

The leading seven players on the final ADT Order of Merit will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season.

All ADT events offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive a minimum of six OWGR points, while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

 Kemei crossed the finish line first in 2.17.49 hrs in the men’s category, followed by Willy Kibor Koitile (2.18.03 hrs) and David Tarus (2.18.45hrs).

Pauline Njeri Kahenya also added further pride for Kenya after she won the women’s division in 2.38.36 hrs. Li Zhixuan of China came in second with 2.44.03 hrs, followed by  Amelework Fikadu Bosho of Ethiopia with 2.44.42 hrs.

For the Thai men’s event, national athlete Boonthueng reigned supreme for the third time after timing 2:36:01 hrs, followed by Supit Chantarat came (2.44.13 hrs) and Thanatip Dichim (2.45.32 hrs). In the Thai women’s event, Linda Janthachit  won in 3.03.35 hrs while Saipanya Tanvilai (3.35.08 hrs) and Photchanporn Lanchawat (3.36.29 hrs) came at second and third respectively.

“I am extremely happy to become the first Thai to win the event for the third straight year,” said Boonthueng, Thailand’s most prolific runner.

“Importantly, I feel proud to represent the country.”

While giving a praise for the fantastic competition that has attracted more than 24,000 runners including a huge number of foreign runners, Boonthueng said that he would continue training and coaching the young athletics for the SEA Games in the Philippines later this year.

Also joining the event are former World No. 1 Lydia Ko, as well as Australian favorites Karrie Webb, Minjee Lee and Su Oh.

In 2018, then-rookie Jin Young Ko led from wire to wire en route to a three-stroke victory over KLPGA player Hye-Jin Choi, with Aussie rookie Hannah Green finishing third. Ko became just the second player in LPGA Tour history to win in her debut as a Member, joining Beverly Hanson at the 1951 Eastern Open. Ko went on to earn 2018 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honors.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ISPS HANDA WOMEN’S AUSTRALIAN OPEN

The ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open was first conducted in 1974, with the 2019 event marking the tournament’s 28th playing. In 2012, the LPGA Tour joined Golf Australia and the ALPG as a co-sanctioning partner.

The tournament has been played across Southeastern Australia but is currently in its second three-year rotation in the greater Adelaide area.This is the second time the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open will be held at The Grange. In 2016, Haru Nomura won on the West Course at 16-under 272, the tournament’s second-best score to par by winner. Nomura is in the field this week, along with past champions Laura Davies (2004, 2009), Jin Young Ko (2017), Lydia Ko (2015), Catriona Matthew (1996), Yani Tseng(2010, 2011) and Webb (2000, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2014).

Other notable past champions include JoAnne Carner (1975), Jessica Korda (2012), Liselotte Neumann (1995), Jiyai Shin (2013), Annika Sorenstam (1994) and Jan Stephenson (1977).

NELLY KORDA LOOKING TO ADD TO FAMILY AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE

The Korda family REALLY likes to play in Australia. Father Petr? He won the 1998 Australian Open tennis tournament. Daughter Jessica? She won the 2012 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. Son Sebastian? He won the 2018 Australian Open junior tennis tournament.

Now it’s up to Nelly Korda to make her own mark on her time Down Under. The third-year LPGA Tour player would love to finally have a part in that family trophy party.

“I feel so left out,” she joked when asked about the family’s Australian legacy. “I don’t really put too much pressure on myself. If it happens, it happens. I’m going to go out and try my best.”

Korda is playing in her third Women’s Australian Open, with previous finishes of T40 in both 2017 and 2018. She hasn’t quite reached the family comfort level Down Under, joking that she was in every bunker last year at Kooyonga Golf Club. But if she does find the Korda winning ways this week, you can bet that she’ll finally replicate the signature Korda celebratory Scissor Kick, first done by Petr in 1998 and since duplicated by Jessica and Sebastian.

“Only in Australia, and it has to be the Australian Open,” she said with a big smile.

LYDIA KO HAPPY TO BE BACK AT THE GRANGE

This marks Lydia Ko’s eighth ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, spanning six different golf courses. This week’s venue, The Grange? It’s her favorite of the tournament’s current Adelaide rotation.

“Hopefully I make my share of birdies out there. It’s a tough course but if you play your way around, I think you can make some birdies,” said Ko, who finished second here in 2016 to Haru Nomura. “I’ve got to enjoy it. I love playing in Australia.”

Ko clearly loves competing in the Women’s Australian Open. The New Zealander has four top-three finishes in the tournament, including a victory in 2015 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, and has never missed the cut in her seven previous appearances. Ko also tasted success Down Under during her amateur days, winning the ALPG’s 2012 Bing Lee/Samsung Women’s NSW Open as a 14-year-old amateur, and several other Australian amateur competitions.

NOTABLE FIRST-ROUND GROUPINGS

Defending ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open champion Jin Young Ko opens her 2019 season at 7:44 a.m. off No. 10, playing alongside Georgia Hall and five-time AWO champion Karrie Webb

Haru Nomura, who won the 2016 tournament here at The Grange, tees off No. 10 at 8:06 a.m. with Paula Creamer and Sarah Jane Smith

World No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn will be off No. 1 at 12:34 p.m., joined by 2015 AWO champion Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda

RACE TO THE CME GLOBE UPDATE

Heading into the third week of the 2019 Race to the GME Globe, 2019 winners Celine Boutier and Eun-Hee Ji leads the standings with 500 points apiece. Mirim Lee sit in third with 366 points, followed by Sarah Kemp, Su Oh and Charlotte Thomas, all tied for fourth with 300 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.

TOURNAMENT SCORING RECORDS

Scoring records since the competition became an official LPGA Tour event in 2012

18 holes: 62, Chella Choi, third round, 2014 (par 72); 63, Lydia Ko, first round, 2012 (par 73)

36 holes: 133, Caroline Hedwall, 2014 (par 72); 131, Mariajo Uribe, 2013 (par 73)

54 holes: 203, Chella Choi, Minjee Lee, 2014 (par 72); 202, Lydia Ko, 2013 (par 73)

72 holes: 272, Haru Nomura, 2016 (par 72); 274, Jiyai Shin, 2013 (par 73)

SOCIAL MEDIA

Tournament: @WomensAusOpen (Twitter and Instagram), #WomensAusOpen

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

TV TIMES (all times Eastern)

Wednesday, Feb. 20 to Thursday, Feb. 21 – 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., Golf Channel

Thursday, Feb. 21 to Friday, Feb. 22 – 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., Golf Channel

Friday, Feb. 22 to Saturday, Feb. 23 – 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., Golf Channel

Saturday, Feb. 23 to Sunday, Feb. 24 – 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., Golf Channel

The 28-year-old Wales international will arrive in northern Italy on July 1 with his contract running until June 30, 2023.

As his contract will have ended, Arsenal will not be entitled to a transfer fee.

“As a result of the registration of the player, Juventus will incur additional costs of 3.7 million euros ($4.1 million), to be paid by July 10,” the Serie A champions said.

The move brings to an end Ramsey’s 11-year spell with the Gunners having moved from Cardiff City in 2008.

Over the past decade he has played 256 Premier League games, scoring 38 top-flight goals, and winning three FA Cup and two Community Shield.

He also had two loan spells at Nottingham Forest in 2010, and back at former club, Cardiff in 2011.

“I wanted to issue a personal statement for all the Arsenal fans who have been extremely loyal and supportive,” Ramsey wrote on Instagram.

“You welcomed me as a teenager and have been there for me through all the highs and lows I have encountered during my time at the club.

“It is with a heavy heart that I leave after 11 incredible years in north London. Thank you.

“I will continue to give the team 100 per cent and hope to finish the season strongly, before heading on to my next chapter in Turin.”

Ramsey has 58 caps for Wales, scoring 14 goals, and was a part of the Welsh side that reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals.

He becomes the third Welshman to play for Juventus following club legend John Charles and former European Golden Boot winner Ian Rush.

Ramsey had turned down the offer of a new deal at Arsenal, with clubs including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich linked with the player.

“Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Aaron Ramsey a happy and successful future,” the London club said in a statement.

“Aaron’s made a fantastic contribution to our club since joining from Cardiff City in 2008. He has always been a consummate professional and will always have a special place in the hearts and memories of Arsenal fans around the world.”

Juventus have an 11-point lead on top of Serie A and are on track for an eighth consecutive league title.

They are through to the Champions League knock-out rounds and will play Atletico Madrid in the last 16 starting next week.

Ramsey will reportedly become Juventus’ second-highest earner behind Cristiano Ronaldo earning 7 million euros ($7.8 million) a season.

The 39-year-old Carballo became the first Argentinean to top the ADT money list following a stellar rookie season which saw him cap one victory and eight top-10s. The former PGA Tour player also stamped his mark by capping two top-five results on the premier Asian Tour last year.

Having enjoyed a well-deserved break back home in Bahia Blanca, the rejuvenated Carballo is ready to put up a good showing when he tees off for the popular event hosted by Thai star Thongchai Jaidee at the 13th Military Circle Golf Course in Lopburi from February 14 to 17.

Carballo will feature in the elite 156-man field gathered at the fourth edition of the ฿4million (approximately US$123,000) event, which is jointly-sanctioned by the ADT and the All Thailand Golf Tour.

“I had a great off-season where I took a pretty long break and didn’t play golf for close to 25 days. After a busy season travelling, I felt like I really needed it. I went back home to Bahia Blanca to visit my father and my brother and took a short beach vacation with my family,” said Carballo.

“Playing in Thongchai’s event will be a great way to start the year because of how competitive the field is. I have been practicing in Thailand the past couple of days and I really want to start the year right at this tournament,” he added.

Having gained confidence and valuable playing experiences from playing on the ADT for the past one year, Carballo has set bigger goals for himself this season.

“My plan for this year is really just to try and play as many tournaments as I can and see if I can bring my family over to Asia.  The ultimate aim is to win on the Asian Tour and keep my card as soon as possible so that I focus on playing well without the added pressure,” Carballo said.

Former Order of Merit winner Pannakorn Uthaipas will lead the local charge alongside in-form Itthipat Buranatanyarat, who leads the current rankings following his recent victory on home soil, as well as Asian Tour champions Natipong Srithong, Rattanon Wannasrichan and Chapchai Nirat, who won the event in 2016.

Thongchai, who holds an unprecedented three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns, has hosted the tournament on the ADT since 2015, with Kiradech Aphibarnrat, highest-ranked Thai in the world, winning the inaugural edition and the last edition in 2017.

With the venue moved to his home course for the first time, the 49-year-old Thongchai hopes to draw attention to his foundation that was formed in 2009 to give access to the game of golf to the underprivileged in his hometown of Lopburi.

The leading seven players on the final ADT Order of Merit will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season.

All ADT events offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive a minimum of six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.