Teenagers Budsabakorn and Pannarat, who turned professionals less than a year ago, join 10 players who have been invited to take part in the US$1.6 million at the Siam Country Club Old Course in Pattaya from Feb 25-28.
Other invited players are Thailand’s Thidapa Suwannapura, Moriya Jutanugarn and amateur Papangkorn Tawatthanakit, 2010 Honda LPGA Thailand winner Ai Miyazato of Japan, JLPGA’s No.1 Shiho Oyama, South Korea’s Lee Bo-Mee and Chun In-Gee, and Spain’s Beatriz Recari.
The announcement has risen the number of Thai players in the 10th edition of the tournament to seven as LPGA members Pornanong Phatlum and Ariya Jutanugarn had already qualified through their money list rankings.
Budsabakorn and Pannarat are among four Thais to have earned LPGA Tour cards for this season through the Q-school.
“I am very excited to join the tournament again after playing as an amateur last year,” said Chiang Rai native Budsabakorn, who has won two titles in her short professional career.
“I thank all the sponsors for their support. Playing in front of the local fans, I will give it my best shot.”
Pannarat, who turned 18 last month, said it is like a dream come true.
“I used to follow this tournament every year but had never thought that one day I would be playing in it,” said Pannarat.
“I am preparing hard to get on with the LPGA Tour season and also to play in front of the Thai fans at this tournament.
“I want to prove that Thai players have the potential to win titles at big events.”
Amateur Papangkorn, who will be taking part in the tournament for the second year in a row, said she has learned a lot from last year’s event and “I’ll be better this time around.”
She added, “It is tough to perform consistently over four rounds and keep hitting good shots. I am better prepared this year to cope with the demands of the event.
“I am targeting a better result this year after sharing 43rd place last year.”
Thailand has yet to win an LPGA title and its best chance came in the 2013 edition when Ariya blew a big lead to finish runner-up after picking up a triple bogey on the last hole.
A total of 70 players will be competing at the no-cut Honda LPGA Thailand 2016, featuring big names like former champions Park In-Bee (2013), Tseng Yani (2011-2012), Anna Nordqvist (2014) and defending champion Amy Yang.
Major winners Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer have also confirmed their participation.
Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer of Honda Automobile (Thailand), said it was the 10th consecutive year for Honda to be the title sponsor of the tournament.
He said, “The previous editions were very successful and this year’s edition promises to be even better.
“To mark the 10th anniversary, we have increased the prize money from $1.5 to $1.6 million this year. The special hole-in-one prize of Honda Accord will be offered on the par-3, 16th.”
LPGA Tour commissioner Michael Whan said, “Over the years, this tournament has developed into a great event on the tour.
“It has had an incredible impact in the last 10 years. Ten years ago, there was no Thai on the LPGA Tour. Now they have many players including the ones from last year's Q-school.
“I am excited to see what we have achieved together over the last 10 years.”