The LPGA Heads for Thailand

The LPGA takes a short hop and a skip over to Thailand for the third event of the season, the Honda LPGA Thailand, a limited field event that nevertheless always manages to generate an exciting competition.



We do, of course, get the "local color" for which the LPGA is developing a reputation -- like the photo op with the Jakapat Thai national costumes shown in the photo above. Showcasing the outfits are (I think I got them in the right order) Supamas Sangchan, Alison Lee, Moriya Jutanugarn, Brooke Henderson, Bo Mee Lee and Muni He.

There are only around 70 players in this event, but that doesn't mean there's no star power. For example, the Top6 from the Rolex Rankings are there:

1. Shanshan Feng
2. Sung Hyun Park
3. So Yeon Ryu
4. Lexi Thompson
5. Anna Nordqvist
6. In Gee Chun

Along with defending champion Amy Yang, who also won this event in 2015, and 2018's first two winners.Brittany Lincicome and Jin Young Ko, there are also six players from Thailand in the field (Ariya Jutanugarn, Moriya Jutanugarn, Saranporn Langkulgasettrin, Benyapa Niphatsophon, Pornanong Phatlum, and Supamas Sangchan). You can get other details from Tony Jesselli's preview over at his blog, as well as the two LPGA posts here and here about the event.

Perhaps the biggest news I can pass on to you is the TV time. I was afraid this event would be too late for the eastern US to see it, but the LPGA website says that GC will be carrying the event beginning tonight at 10pm ET for four hours. It's a bit rough having to go up against the Olympics, but if you'd rather see a warm weather sport...