Course: Siam Country Club, Pattaya Old Course. Not an overly difficult course that won't get you into too much trouble. There will be many ways to get to the hole, but you're going to need to putt in order to win. Expect the winning score to be in the mid to upper teens under par.
Strength Of Field: B-. It's a good field, but it's missing Lydia Ko, and she's the one everyone is clamoring for. She's the only big name player missing from this event, but it's the biggest name.
Extra Tidbits: This is going to be a slight rant, but there is a strange LPGA rule that is shown off at this tournament. Since Hyo Joo Kim, winner of the Evian Masters, is in a lower category than the top 80 finishers of last season, she had to rely on a sponsor exemption to get into the field. Since it is a limited field event, Kim will not earn any official money for her finish, despite being a full LPGA member. It's incredibly odd, and appears to be exclusive to the LPGA...A player from Thailand has never won on the LPGA Tour, despite Ariya Jutanugarn and Pornanong Phatlum coming close in the last couple of years...The average age of winners on the LPGA Tour this season is 22. The oldest was Na Yeon Choi at 27...only one player has ever won the LPGA Thailand twice. Yani Tseng won back to back in 2011 and 2012...Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak makes her season debut this week.
Fantasy Four:
Ariya Juranugarn - Came close two years ago but a triple bogey on the final hole made her lose the tournament by one shot. Leads the LPGA in driving distance. Unlike other tournaments, she has knowledge of this golf course. Playing in front of a home crowd could give her a boost. Only thing missing from her rookie resume is a win.
Inbee Park - The player who beat Jutanugarn two years ago. While I expect a long reign for Lydia Ko as number one, I don't expect Inbee to just fade away. The best player in the field, she notches a lot of top 10s.
Hyo Joo Kim - Makes her debut as an LPGA member (well, kind of, see above). Finished in the top 10 in every LPGA event she played in last year, including a victory at the Evian. Has to make up ground on her fellow rookies, who have gotten off to a great start this season.
Amy Yang - Two top 10's in three starts this season. Win number 2 is right around the corner, and just needs a bit more confidence down the stretch to get her over the edge. Always seems to be a forgotten player, but finds a way to contend.
(SLEEPER) Mika Miyazato - Cautiously optimistic that Miyazato has gotten things turned around. After missing the cut in her first event, she has finished in the top 25 the last two weeks. Of the Japanese players who have struggled, she seems the best candidate for a resurgence.
Amy Yang - Two top 10's in three starts this season. Win number 2 is right around the corner, and just needs a bit more confidence down the stretch to get her over the edge. Always seems to be a forgotten player, but finds a way to contend.
(SLEEPER) Mika Miyazato - Cautiously optimistic that Miyazato has gotten things turned around. After missing the cut in her first event, she has finished in the top 25 the last two weeks. Of the Japanese players who have struggled, she seems the best candidate for a resurgence.
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