Patty Tavatanakit Triumphs in Honda LPGA Thailand: A Home Victory to Remember
There was a historic moment at the recent Honda LPGA Thailand, as a second Thai champion at the home event was crowned at the start of 2024.
Patty Tavatanakit has been one of the standout stars on the LPGA Tour throughout recent memory, and her skills continue to rank her among the best female players on the tour.
She immediately set her sights on the top of the leaderboard after recording back-to-back birdies on the opening hole before going clear on the final two holes of the day. Her success on the Tour has made her a favorite among golf fans who enjoy online sports betting in Thailand, with a growing number of fans wagering on her game. But what has been the secret to her success? Let us take a closer look at Tavatanakit’s amazing journey.
Early Life
Patty Tavatanakit was born in October 1999 and quickly developed a passion for sports. Although she tried various sports, she ultimately found her calling in golf.
Born and raised in Bangkok, she graduated from Keerapat International School in the renowned city. Throughout her teenage years, Tavatanakit spent her time away from school honing her golf skills. Despite her school not having a golf team, she regularly participated in prestigious local tournaments as an individual competitor. Her talent was evident early on when she won the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship in 2014.
Tavatanakit’s success continued to grow, and she was named the Thailand Amateur Ladies Golf Association Player of the Year for 2015-16. This accolade came after her victory at the Asian Junior Golf Association Rolex Tournament of Champions.
College Career
To boost her chances of making a name for herself in the sport, Tavatanakit started playing competitively at the college level. She joined the UCLA Bruins during the 2016-17 season, playing for the varsity golf team. During this time, Tavatanakit achieved significant success, winning a total of seven collegiate tournaments.
Her outstanding performances on the course earned her several accolades, including being named the Pac-12 and WGCA Conference Freshman of the Year. Additionally, she was awarded WGCA First Team All-American twice and was named an All-Pac-12 First Team Member. Tavatanakit’s form continued to improve, and she made history by shooting the lowest score by an amateur at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open.
Professional Career
Tavatanakit turned professional in 2019, and she immediately showed her quality at the highest level after winning three tournaments in eight appearances on the Symetra Tour. That run of form saw her named the Rookie of the Year, capturing organizers’ attention on the LPGA Tour.
Tavatanakit would make her first appearance on the global tour in 2020 after competing in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio. It would be an excellent first weekend on the tour for the Asian player, who finished in a tie for 35th. By the end of the season, Tavatanakit had competed in 14 events on the LPGA Tour. However, she would make further history in 2021 after claiming an excellent win at the Chevron Championship, beating Lydia Ko by two shots to win her first major championship.
Continued Success
Tavatanakit hasn’t yet been able to add a second major to her collection, but she does appear to be very consistent in the events. After winning the Chevron Championship, she finished in a tie for fifth at the Women’s PGA Championship before finishing in a tie for seventh at the Women’s British Open.
The only major she has yet to finish inside the top ten is the Evian Championship. But Tavatanakit is a star with her whole future ahead of her, meaning that there will be countless opportunities over the coming years for her to increase her collection of major titles. Her success on the tour has already been evident this year, as she won the Aramco Saudi Ladies International just seven days before securing the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Conclusion
It is a very exciting period for Asian golf, with no shortage of players competing at the highest levels on both the PGA and LPGA Tours. However, Tavatanakit stands out as one of the brightest stars in recent times. Her success could pave the way for the next generation of female players from Asia, inspiring them to compete at the highest level of the sport.
