Thai golfer Atthaya wins LPGA Rookie of the Year

Thailand’s teenage golf star Atthaya Thitikul took home another accolade last week when the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) named her Rookie of the Year just one week after she achieved the world number one ranking in the sport.

“It is such an honor to win the Rookie of the Year award, especially being the second consecutive player from Thailand to win this honor,” said 19-year-old Atthaya who hails from Ratchaburi province.

“I am happy to have made my home country proud. My rookie year has been really fun and memorable, but we still have a long way to go,” added Atthaya.

In her inaugural season on the LPGA Tour, she has racked up 15 top-ten finishes in addition to her two tournament victories this season. Atthaya also won Rookie of the Year on the European women’s tour in 2021, and she is the second-youngest woman golfer to reach the world number one ranking.

Another Thai golfer, Patty Tavatanakit, won the LPGA Rookie of the Year in 2021. In 2013, Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand won the award.

Atthaya is also the second Thai woman to reach world number one, following Moriya’s sister Ariya Jutanugarn.

The LPGA said that Atthaya is leading the tour in both birdies (392) and top-10 finishes (15), is fifth on the season’s Official Money List ($2,110,142) and is tied for third in strokes gained total (1.950). She is also tied for fourth in eagles made this season (11).

“Thitikul turned professional in 2020 after a stellar amateur career that saw her become the youngest person ever to win a professional tournament at the 2017 Ladies European Thailand Championship at 14 years, 4 months and 19 days. She also won the 2019 Ladies European Thailand Championship as an amateur,” according to the LPGA website.

Photo courtesy of https://www.lpga.com/news/2022/atthaya-thitikul-