Tag: Ladies European Tour

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Ladies European Tour

Hall and Cowan excited to play in Jeddah as 2022 Aramco Team Series reaches conclusion

Georgia Hall and Olivia Cowan on the European Tour. (Photo: Ladies European Tour)
Georgia Hall and Olivia Cowan on the European Tour. (Photo: Ladies European Tour)

Star female golfers Georgia Hall and Olivia Cowan are in confident mood and excited to tee it up at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club this week in the final Aramco Team Series event of the year.
Hall returns to Jeddah following incredible recent success in King Abdullah Economic City after winning the Aramco Saudi Ladies International here in March, while Olivia Cowan is in the form of her career after winning her first Ladies European Tour title in the Hero Women’s Indian Open, two weeks ago.
Both are relishing the opportunity to be back in Saudi Arabia this week with Hall commenting: “I love coming back here. I really like this golf course; it is one of my favourites to play in my season and it is always in great condition. The weather is always good, and the wind can get up quite a bit in the afternoons which makes the course have a linksy feel which I really enjoy.
“There are some tough holes out there, but I can also reach pretty much every par 5 which is nice so that gives me some really good eagle opportunities and the chance to try and shoot some low rounds. Every time we come here as players, we also get really well looked after, so it’s just a really fun week.”

Olivia Cowan and Georgia Hall: “We are thrilled to be playing here”

Cowan echoed the sentiments of Hall and added: “I feel really confident about my game at the moment coming off the back of that first win in India. I’m just really looking forward to playing this course, I really love playing it and being back here in Jeddah. It’s challenging and fun to play in, and the team event makes it a bit more relaxing. I just love coming back here and can’t wait for the week to get going.”
The tournament draft took place last night where the teams for this week’s event were selected. Each of the 36 Captains have one individual pick, before they are allocated a random player at the draft, with the team element of the tournament being decided after day two of the event. Individual player scores are then carried over to the final day as an individual winner is crowned.
Hall will be joined in her team by young compatriot, Lily May Humphreys, as well as French golfer Anais Meyssonnier. Cowan used her pick to select young English star, Cara Gainer, while Team Cowan will be completed by another English player in Rachael Goodall.
Other standout teams are Team Charley Hull with the highest ranked player in the field, Hull, selecting Isabella Deilert, and being allocated Moroccan star Maha Haddioui, while Team Alison Lee will be completed by Camilla Lennarth and Diksha Dagar.
Defending individual champion Pia Babnik will be joined by Kristyna Napoleaova and Lauren Taylor for the first two days of competition as she looks to start her title defence in the best way. All teams will be completed by a championship amateur which differentiates the Aramco Team Series as unique and innovative and both Hall and Cowan believe golf’s global series as been an extremely welcome addition to the Ladies European Tour schedule.
Hall commented: “It is fantastic to get this support from Aramco and Golf Saudi and having the five events on the calendar of the Ladies European Tour has really boosted the Tour. I know speaking to a lot of players, they are really grateful for that support. “All the players just really enjoy coming to these events, it’s something different and just brings a different aspect to the game.”
Cowan emphasised Hall’s opinion adding: “The set up and everything they do for the players is amazing. The weeks are set up like a major and the Aramco Team Series puts a lot of effort into the event and looking after the players for the week. We really appreciate that and hope other companies continue to show the same support for growing women’s golf.”

This week’s tournament takes place at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club from 10-12 November with tickets available free of charge. To secure tickets please visit aramcoteamseries.com and follow the event on social media @aramco_series.

Text: Ladies European Tour

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Ladies Tours

Atthaya Thitikul Becomes No. 1 in Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings

Atthaya Thitikul on the LPGA Tour. (Photo: Getty)
Atthaya Thitikul on the LPGA Tour. (Photo: Getty)

For the first time in her career, Atthaya Thitikul has reached No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings as of the latest Rankings update. She becomes the 16th different player to reach No. 1 as well as the second player from Thailand to sit atop the Rolex Rankings following Ariya Jutanugarn, who was No. 1 for 23 total weeks between June 2017 and March 2019. Thitikul is also the second player to reach the No. 1 ranking in her LPGA Tour rookie year, after Sung Hyun Park in November 2017.

Rolex Ranking: Jin Young Ko must relinquish top position

Thitikul moved one spot on the Rolex Rankings to World No. 1, passing Jin Young Ko, who has held the top spot since Jan. 31, 2022. Ko first became World No. 1 in April 2019 and has spent 152 total weeks atop the Rankings, six weeks shy of Lorena Ochoa’s record 158 weeks at the No. 1 position.

Thitikul is only the second player under age 20 to reach No. 1 at 19 years, 8 months and 11 days, joining Lydia Ko. Ko was 17 years, 9 months and 9 days when she first reached No. 1 in February 2015, and 18 years, 6 months and 2 days the second time she ascended to the top spot of the Rolex Rankings in October 2015.

Atthaya Thitikul: “It is a great honor”

“It means a lot for my team, my family, my supporters and myself. It is such an honor to have my name at the top amongst the biggest names of the game,” said Thitikul. “It is very special to get to the top but it is much harder to retain it. I still have a lot to learn from all the legends and current players both on and off the course. I will continue to work hard for my family, my team, my fans and my country.”

Thitikul has two victories so far in 2022, becoming a Rolex First-Time Winner at the JTBC Classic presented by Barbasol and adding another win at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. Along with her wins, Thitikul has recorded 12 additional top-10 finishes this season, including three at major championships. She currently leads in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year standings with 1,487 points, is third in scoring average on Tour (69.432) and fourth in the race to become Rolex Player of the Year (129 points). Thitikul also ranks first on Tour in birdies (375), second in rounds in the 60s (44) and tied for fourth in number of eagles (11).

The successful step onto the LPGA Tour

Prior to joining the LPGA Tour, Thitikul became the youngest player ever to win the Ladies European Tour’s Race to Costa del Sol in 2021 while also securing Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors. At 14 years, 4 months and 19 days, Thitikul also became the youngest golfer to ever win a professional golf tournament with her victory at the LET’s Thailand Championship in 2017.

Text: LPGA Tour

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Ladies European Tour

Ladies European Tour: Lexi Thompson triumphs after holding off Brooke Henderson and Nelly Korda

Lexi Thompson triumphs in New York. (Photo: Aramco Team Series)
Lexi Thompson triumphs in New York. (Photo: Aramco Team Series)

New York, (October 15, 2022): American star Lexi Thompson is back in the winner’s circle after holding her nerve to take the individual title at the Aramco Team Series – New York.

The Ladies European Tour win at Trump Golf Links Ferry Point marks the 27-year-old World Number Four’s first title since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019.

In bright and breezy conditions in New York, Thompson held off the challenge World Number Six Brooke Henderson and Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom on Saturday with a final round of 69 to finish three shots clear on eleven-under-par.

Starting the final round two shots clear, Thompson took advantage of an early Korda bogey to birdie her first hole and build an early cushion that she maintained all day. Thompson’s putter remained hot all week and four birdies on the friendlier back nine eased her away from a chasing pack.

“I came into today just the way I played yesterday, just playing aggressive golf, and being kind of fiery,” she said.

“I hit a great shot on No. 1 to like six, seven feet and made it and I wanted to play fearless golf and not play away from pins by any means and commit to my shots. I hit some really good ones and I hit some iffy ones but with this wind and everything, you have to take the bad ones as best you can.”

Thompson’s win, with her brother on her bag this week, comes off the back off several top tens this year with the hard work off the course paying off for the Floridian.

“I’ve been working extremely hard on my game. I felt like it was a matter of time but just wanted to play golf and put myself in contention in the final rounds and learn from the losses that I had and what I needed to work on which I brought into today.”

Brooke Henderson, making her Aramco Team Series debut, found her best form of the week in the final round to make a late charge with a flurry of late birdies on the back nine in conditions that suited the supreme ball-striker. The Canadian carded a round of 68 for a tie of second on eight-under-par with Sagstrom.

“I feel like I was just trying to make some birdies and climb as much as I could,” said the two-time major winner.

“I was happy to shoot 4-under out there in the wind. I feel like my game is in a good spot which is exciting leading into the rest of the LPGA season in a few weeks and hopefully I can finish strong because it’s been a really fun year.”

Nelly Korda was bidding for back-to-back Aramco Team Series wins but three bogeys on her front nine stalled her progress. The World Number 4 unsurprisingly battled back, coming home in 33 shots with three birdies for a round of 72 and fourth place (-7).

“It was very frustrating start to the day – very odd on the front nine, said Korda. “I just didn’t feel like myself. But then got it going on the back nine and I finished strong. It was a good confidence boost. It’s really nice to see Lexi win and it’s really good for golf for her to win as well. She played really solid golf and she’s been playing really solid golf this year. It was just around the corner,” she added.

Madelene Sagstrom was frustrated to not get over the line today but admitted it was nice to be back in contention in a big tournament playing alongside Thompson and Korda in the final group.

“We all come out here to try and win,” she said. “That’s what the mindset was coming in for the week. I haven’t really been in this kind of situation for a while, so it’s nice to be back. I think every time we play with top players, it makes you a little better. Playing with them and being comfortable and being in that situation is always good.”

The Aramco Team Series reaches its 2022 climax next month for the final event of the year in Jeddah at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

(Text: Aramco Team Series)

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Ladies European Tour

Team Gustavsson crowned champions in New York

Johanna Gustavsson of Sweden, Jessica Karlsson of Sweden, Karolin Lampert of Germany and Jennifer Rosenberg. (Credit: Ladies European Tour)

Thompson & Korda set for Saturday head-to-head at Trump Golf Links

Team Gustavsson have swept to an impressive victory in the team competition at the Aramco Team Series – New York on the Ladies European Tour.

Swedish skipper Johanna Gustavsson led a quartet at Trump Golf Links that included Jessica Karlsson, Karolin Lampert and New York college star Jennifer Rosenberg who took advantage of perfect conditions to finish on 23-under-par.

The winners held off late challenges in the $500,000 team event, from a host of international talent, to mark first LET victories for Gustavsson and Karlsson.

“It’s a win and it’s a team win and it’s just great to celebrate with the others and have this kind of experience,” said Gustavsson. “The joy of winning is so much better when you share it as well. It’s just been great and having Jennifer with us, she’s got a bright future, turning pro soon, and I think we’ll see her again”.

It was back-to-back wins for Karolin Lampert who also was part the winning team at last year’s Aramco Team Series – New York at Glen Oaks Golf & Country Club.

Runners up in the team competition was Team Hewson (-21) with Team Maguire (-19) and Team Babnik (-19) in third respectively.

In the second round of the individual competition World Number eight Lexi Thompson made the most decisive move, showing her class on Friday with a round of 65 to finish on eight-under-par – a slim one shot lead heading into the final day tomorrow. Thompson’s round included five birdies and an eagle with the American star’s putter red hot in the New York sunshine.

Thompson said: “It was a great day out there. We couldn’t have asked for better weather compared to yesterday and it was obviously a little softer due to the rain. It’s a tough track and it can get windy – so you just have to take advantage of the easier holes.”

A victory would mark the 27-year American’s first professional win since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019.

“All I can focus on is my game and my emotions, so I’ll just try and take that into tomorrow,” added Thompson. “I’m sure I have to come out and play my A Game. But all I can focus on is my game and my emotions.”

Just one behind is tournament headliner and World Number 4 Nelly Korda who was another to stamp her authority on the Ferry Point Links. A round of 67 included four birdies and an eagle to finish on seven-under-par. Korda is aiming for back-to-back wins on the Aramco Team Series – a format she is becoming increasingly dominant at.

Chasing Thompson and Korda is Madelene Sagstrom (-5) and World Number Six Brooke Henderson (-4.)

“I’m just going to try to stay aggressive and I need to get the putter a little bit hotter, so hopefully that will help me tomorrow,” said Sweden’s Sagstrom. “A win would mean the world to me, and I’m going to go out there and give myself a good chance.”

Saturday’s final day of play will see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another $500,000, this time in individual earnings.

About the Aramco Team Series

The Aramco Team Series is the first team event series of its kind on any professional tour. Part of the Ladies European Tour it takes place across four continents, the tournaments will see the world’s best players team up with amateur golfers to compete for a $1M prize funds.

Using a unique draft system, team captains will pick one pro teammate, before being allocated a third via a random draw. Completing each team will be one amateur golfer. As well as competing for the team trophy, the professionals will also vie for an individual title, offering Rolex Rankings and Solheim Cup ranking points, and will be part of the Race to Costa del Sol Official Rankings.

(Article provided by Aramco Team Series Media)

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Ladies European Tour

Golf Stars Nelly Korda & Lexi Thompson Praise New Opportunities for Women’s Golf

Preview for the Aramco Team Series Event in New York. (Photo: Aramco)
Preview for the Aramco Team Series Event in New York. (Photo: Aramco)

The stage is set for the Aramco Team Series – New York tournament to tee off on Thursday with the world’s top stars of women’s golf at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx, New York. The Ladies European Tour event features 78 golfers with several of the world’s top pros including no. 4 ranked Nelly Korda, no. 6 Brooke Henderson, no. 8 Lexi Thompson, no. 14 Jessica Korda, no. 18 Charley Hull and no. 19 Leona Maguire with a $1M prize purse.

Speaking to the media in New York on Wednesday, Nelly Korda commented: “We play so many events on the LPGA Tour, it’s nice to switch it up for a team aspect. It’s very different and it’s fun. Throughout the season, competing and traveling gets a little tiring. It’s a breath of fresh air having a team and doing a little something different throughout the season.”

Lexi Thompson shared the following on Wednesday on the setting for Aramco Team Series – New York 2022: “It’s an amazing golf course and it’s in great shape. I got to play about 14-15 holes yesterday. Besides the traffic in New York, everything is great. To take on this golf course, keep it in the fairways. There’s some fescue out there. It’ll be all weather-dependent as well, if it gets super windy there’s obviously not too much to block it. Keeping a good trajectory on ball flight. It’s in great shape for us.” Regarding the opportunities Aramco Team Series is creating for female golfers, she continued: “It’s amazing what they’re doing. As an athlete of any sport, we want to grow our game and our sport individually. What they’re doing with golf and giving other girls an opportunity to bring out their best is great. They’re very grateful for this opportunity.”

Brooke Henderson shared her excitement this week on her first visit to New York City: “First time for me in actual New York City, which is hard to believe as I’m only a seven-and-a-half-hour drive from here, but I’ve never experienced the city. I was able to walk around Central Park a little bit, so I’m enjoying the hustle and bustle and the craziness. It’s all very exciting.”

On Tuesday evening, the players gathered for the Aramco Team Series – New York team draw where 26 captains selected their teams for the tournament. The event features a unique scoring system, allowing an amateur player to contribute to the final result of the Ladies European Tour event as the competition features individual and team champions vying for the $1M prize. The team event covers the first two rounds, with individuals making the cut for a chance at the individual title on day three.

Headlining teams following the draw include the below and the full tee times list is available here

  • Team N. Korda: Nelly Korda, Noora Komulainen, Celine Herbin
  • Team Henderson: Brooke Henderson, Christine Wolf, Linda Wessberg
  • Team Thompson: Lexi Thompson, Kelly Whaley, Laura Fuenfstueck
  • Team J. Korda: Jessica Korda, Jillian Hollis, Kylie Henry
  • Team Hull: Charley Hull, Laura Davies, Julia Engstrom
  • Team Maguire: Leona Maguire, Liz Young, Tvesa Malik

Tickets are available from just $5 for adults and are free for kids under 16 years-old. To secure tickets or to find out more, visit www.aramcoteamseries.com or follow the event on social media @aramco_series.

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Ladies Tours

Up 26%: R&A announces prize fund for AIG Women’s Open 2022

The AIG Women's Open 2022 is held in Muirfield, England. (Credit: Getty)
The AIG Women's Open 2022 is held in Muirfield, England. (Credit: Getty)

The R&A and AIG continue to increase the prize fund for the AIG Women’s Open with the winner set to receive USD 1.095 million.

The R&A announced that the total prize fund for the AIG Women’s Open, played from 4-7 August 2022 at Muirfield, will be USD7.3 million, a 26% increase on 2021.

With the support of title sponsor AIG, the prize fund for the Championship has grown by 125% since 2018, the year before AIG’s partnership with The R&A commenced.

Follow the AIG Women`s

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Last year we took a very bold step to substantially increase the prize fund of the AIG Women’s Open. This year at the AIG Women’s Open, the players will be competing for $7.3 million, which is an increase of 26% on last year and also sees the total investment into the prize fund increase by just over $4million or 125% since The R&A and AIG began our partnership in 2019.

“In AIG, we have the support of a deeply trusted partner, as we look to continue to elevate the AIG Women’s Open.”

Peter Zaffino, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of AIG said, “We are proud to be the title sponsor of the AIG Women’s Open and to serve as allies to women in golf, business and the communities where we live and work. Thanks to our great partnership with The R&A we continue to make progress on pay equity while raising the profile of women’s golf and showcasing the tremendous talent of the elite women athletes competing in this iconic Championship.”

How the AIG Women’s Open prize fund has grown

2022 – $7.3million
2021 – $5.8million
2020 – $4.5million
2019 – $4.5million (beginning of The R&A and AIG partnership)
2018 – $3.25million
The prize fund for the 2022 AIG Women’s Open

Place USD

1 1,095,000
2 720,028
3 521,498
4 402,734
5 323,565
6 264,183
7 220,638
8 192,929
9 173,135
10 157,299
11 145,419
12 135,522
13 126,813
14 118,898
15 111,771
16 105,438
17 99,899
18 95,147
19 91,190
20 88,019
21 84,857
22 81,686
23 78,524
24 75,353
25 72,584
26 69,815
27 67,037
28 64,268
29 61,499
30 59,123
31 56,747
32 54,371
33 51,995
34 49,619
35 47,645
36 45,662
37 43,687
38 41,705
39 39,722
40 38,141
41 36,560
42 34,978
43 33,389
44 31,808
45 30,620
46 29,432
47 28,244
48 27,056
49 25,868
50 24,680
51 23,893
52 23,099
53 22,304
54 21,517
55 20,723
56 19,928
57 19,142
58 18,347
59 17,560
60 16,766
61 16,372
62 15,971
63 15,578
64 15,184
65 14,783
66 14,390
67 13,996
68 13,595
69 13,202
70 12,808
71 9,559
72 9,338
73 9,117
74 8,896
75 8,675
76 8,454
(Press Release by R&A)

Categories
Ladies European Tour

Korda-sisters set for sun-drenched showdown at the Aramco Team Series in Sotogrande

Younger sister Nelly (left) and Jessica Korda (right) will compete in Spain. (Photo: Aramco Team Series)
Younger sister Nelly (left) and Jessica Korda (right) will compete in Spain. (Photo: Aramco Team Series)

American superstar sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda are heading to Spain for the first time, with both confirmed for next month’s $1million Aramco Team Series – Sotogrande. The sibling pair will tee-it-up in front of their maiden Spanish crowd at La Reserva Club, August 18-20th, in what will be their second Aramco Team Series presented by PIF event.

The Kordas can build on great successes

Both Nelly and Jessica were part of history when they played in last year’s debut Aramco Team Series – New York, the first ever Ladies European Tour event to be played on U.S soil. And for older sister Jessica – a six-time LPGA-winner – that was just the start of a history-making week, as she captained her team to victory in the event’s unique fourball format.

Former world number one and US Olympic Gold medalist Nelly was one-shot shy of bagging the same tournament’s concurrent solo contest.Now, both will return to battle it out against the biggest and best names on the Ladies European Tour under the Sotogrande sun this summer.

Both sisters will be in Spain for the first time

“I’m so excited to be heading to play in Spain for the first time,” said major-winner Nelly, currently ranked world #3.

“It’ll actually be my first ever time visiting Spain, so I’m really looking forward to getting there and seeing and experiencing what I’ve always imagined to be this amazing culture. The golf course at La Reserva looks incredible too so it should be a great week.”

“Jess and I both played in the Aramco Team Series event in New York last year and loved the format. It’s something different having the separate team-individual formats going on at the same time which is fun.  With the Solheim Cup taking place just round the corner from Sotogrande next year, this will also be the perfect opportunity for me and some of the other Americans in the field to get a bit of a lay of the land and a feel for playing in Spain, with the hope of being back there 12 months later. I’m excited to get out there and can’t wait to see what Sotogrande has in store for us.”

“Spain has had such a massive influence on golf”

Jessica – who has finished in the top ten in all five women’s majors – said: “New York’s Aramco Team Series was a great event. Having won the team side of it was a lot of fun! I am looking forward to getting a chance to play that same format again.

“I’ve never actually played in Spain – this will be my first time. Spain has had such a massive influence on golf, from big name players like Seve, Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm to Carlota Ciganda and the many Spanish girls making an impact on both the LPGA and LET.

“The Spanish fans are known to have some fiery passion too, so I can’t wait to tee it up in front of them for what should be a pretty special atmosphere in Sotogrande.”

The headline pair will be joined in Sotogrande by a host of big-name Spanish golfers, including Solheim Cup hero Carlota Ciganda, rising talent Ana Peláez Triviño, Nuria Iturrioz and Carmen Alonso, as part of a field packed with global stars, more of whom will be announced in due course.

Categories
Ladies European Tour

Ladies European Tour: Manon De Roey wins the individual classification

First victory on the Ladies European Tour: the beaming winner. (Photo: Twitter/@LETgolf)
First victory on the Ladies European Tour: the beaming winner. (Photo: Twitter/@LETgolf)

On the third and last day of the Aramco Team Series in Bangkok, the best women golfers played for victory in the individual classification. After Whitney Hillier’s team had won the team ranking the day before, Manon De Roey celebrated her first victory on the Ladies European Tour on the third day in Bangkok. She closed the tournament with a bogey-free round of 66 to win by three strokes over her pursuers Johanna Gustavsson (10-under-par) and Kylie Henry and Patty Tavatanakit (both 8-under-par).

Interview with the happy winner

All highlights of the third day in Bangkok

Categories
Ladies European Tour

Ladies European Tour: This team wins the team ranking in Bangkok

Winners on the Ladies European Tour: Team Hillier in an interview. (Photo: Twitter/@LETgolf)
Winners on the Ladies European Tour: Team Hillier in an interview. (Photo: Twitter/@LETgolf)

The Aramco Team Series 2022 includes five tournaments, on which there is both a team ranking and an individual ranking. The first of the season’s five tournaments takes place this week in Bangkok at Thai Country Club. The players have already completed 36 holes and the winning team has been determined: Chonlada Chayanun, Krista Bakker and amateur Pattanan Amatanon win the team classification together with team captain Whitney Hillier. Tomorrow’s third and final day will see the top 60 and stroke ties play for their placements in the individual standings.

Highlights of the second day of play

Interview with the winning team Hillier

Best of the day: Scotland’s Catriona Matthew after the round

Categories
Ladies European Tour

Captain Moriya Jutanugarn picks Catriona Matthew for 1 million Dollar Aramco Team Series

The Jutanugarn sisters Ariya (l) and Moriya (r) with fellow Thai star Patty Tavatanakit (middle). (Photo: Aramco Team Series)
The Jutanugarn sisters Ariya (l) and Moriya (r) with fellow Thai star Patty Tavatanakit (middle). (Photo: Aramco Team Series)

Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn will partner with Solheim Cup icon Catriona Matthew in one of the headline fourballs at this week’s Aramco Team Series. The hometown hero used her captain’s pick in last night’s pre-tournament draft to recruit the Scot, an 11-time Tour champion and Major-winner, but perhaps most revered for her back-to-back roles captaining Team Europe to Solheim Cup success. Spanish Ladies European Tour rookie Paz Marfa Sans will complete the professional side of the team, which will be completed with the addition of an amateur golfer, before play gets underway at Thai Country Club tomorrow.

The choices of the Jutanugarn sisters

“Playing in my home country is very exciting,” said Jutanugarn, who will be making her second appearance in an Aramco Team Series event. “I wanted to pick the legend Catriona as she’ll make me feel a lot more calm – maybe I can learn from her, as well. I’m really happy with my team. For us, I think it’s just a case of going out, enjoying it and having fun. If we do, I’m sure we’ll be good!” Asked if her captain for the week, the world #50, was a player she respected, Matthew said: “Oh, absolutely! I’ve played a lot with Moriya on the LPGA over the years. I haven’t seen her in a wee while, so I’m delighted to be playing together and being able to catch up.” Jutanugarn was one pick earlier in the draft than her younger sister, Ariya, who is also competing in the Aramco Team Series, an event added to the LET calendar for the first time this year.”

Like her sister, Ariya too used her captain’s selection to recruit a Scot – Laura Beveridge. Anne-Charlotte Mora of France was the third addition to the team. Asked about her captain’s pick, the two-time Major-winner said: “I’ve not known so much about Laura, but I had been looking at all the stats before picking her, so I’m pretty sure she’s going to help the team. Already we’re having so much fun, talking about what we’re going to eat today and where the good
Thai food is! I’m pretty sure we’re going to be a good team.”

For the first time: Aramco Team Series in Bangkok

This week’s debut Bangkok leg will be the first of five 1 million Dollar Aramco Team Series tournaments on the LET calendar for 2022 – and the first with the three-day event’s new format. Updated from last year’s inaugural Series, the teams will now compete over only 36 holes – the Thursday and Friday of the tournament – with 500,000 Dollar prizemoney being split between the lowest scoring fourballs. Saturday’s final day of play will see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another 500,000 Dollar, this time in individual earnings.

Big names set to compete with the likes of the Jutanugarn sisters include fellow Thai superstar Patty Tavatanakit, who selected Finland’s Noora Komulainen as her captain’s pick – and who returns home to compete ranked as the world #13.
England’s Charley Hull has a blistering Aramco Team Series record, with three top ten team finishes and a solo victory in last year’s New York event. She chose good friend and fellow English golfer Lauren Taylor as her teammate for the week’s fourball action.
Australia’s Whitney Hillier leaned on her mother’s Thai heritage to recruit Chonlada Chayanun, whose home course is this week’s host course, Thai Country Club.
The Aramco Team Series – Bangkok kicks off 2022’s run of ATS events, and will be followed by four
more 1 million Dollar tournaments in London, Sotogrande, New York and Jeddah.

(Text: Aramco Team Series)