As they packed their bags and headed for the 2016 season opening Bahamas Classic, which started yesterday (Jan 28), the Thais were also hoping that another successful year is in store for them.
At the conclusion of the 2015 season, Pornanong Phatlum, Ariya Jutanugarn, Moriya Jutanugarn, Patcharajutar Kongkraphan and Thidapa Suwannapura were able to retain their places on the Tour.
Budsabakorn Sukapan, Benyapa Niphatsophon, Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras and Nontaya Srisawang earned their LPGA Tour cards after impressive results at last month's Q-school.
It is the first time that Thailand has nine golfers on the LPGA Tour, and there is a growing expectation that the Kingdom may celebrate its first ever winner on the Tour this year.
The Thais have come close in the past but faltered shortly before crossing the finish line with last year's Bahamas Classic seeing Ariya being elbowed aside following a three-way play-off.
At the 2015 Bahamas Classic, South Korea's Kim Sei-Young teed off at the final hole at 13-under par with compatriot Yoo Sun-Young and Ariya sitting in the clubhouse at 14-under par.
A chip from the front greenside rough to three feet set up a birdie putt to earn Kim a spot in the play-off, which she won on the first hole to demote Ariya and Yoo to joint-second spot.
Once again, the Thais are aware that they can't afford to take things lightly this year.
The 2016 episode of the LPGA opener in Bahamas will see defending champion Kim, the 2015 rookie of the year, and fellow South Korean world No.2 Park In-Bee, a seven-time major winner, head the field at at the UScopy.4 million tournament.
The field of 108 players will feature 18 of the top 25 from the 2015 LPGA money list and 14 of the top 25 in the world rankings.
Apart from second-ranked Park and No.7 Kim, the others in the field include three more top-10 players in the world rankings: No.3 Stacy Lewis, No.4 Lexi Thompson and No.10 Kim Hyo-Joo.
The 20-year-old Ariya is once again being seen as Thailand's top bet to deliver an LPGA title.
At the age of 17, she squandered a great chance with a last-hole triple bogey to hand the title to Park In-Bee in front of the local fans at the 2013 Honda LPGA Thailand.
Ariya, who is in her second year on the Tour, said she will be sparing no effort to win her maiden LPGA title this year.
“It is my second year on the Tour and I am more motivated and more experienced to make a bid for a title,” she said.
“I will also be making an all-out effort to move into the top 30 on the money list.”
Midway through the 2015 season, Ariya went through a bad patch of nightmarish proportions when she missed the cut in 10 tournaments in a row.
She then fought back in an impressive fashion in the later part of the year and surpassed Pornanong to finish in 35th place on the money list, the highest among the Thai players.
Ariya said, "I realise how tough the fields are at the LPGA tournaments and how good or bad I can be. However, I do hope for better results this year.
“I am confident and I have the potential to realise my dreams.”
Her elder sister Moriya, who ended the year in 64th place on the money list, echoed a similar commitment, saying experience and good plans can help improve her title chances.
“I learned a lot in my first three years on the Tour. I know what I need to improve and how to correct my game,” said Moriya, who recorded two top-10 finishes last year.
She added, “My goal is to finish the year among the top 40 on the money list and, if possible, I would want win a title as well.”
The 27-year-old Pornanong, the most experienced Thai on the Tour, also came close last season when she finished joint second at the Portland Classic. She was also a runner-up at the LPGA Malaysia in 2014.
The Chaiyaphum-born Pornanong, who has been on the Tour since 2009, was disappointed with her performance last year when she failed to meet her target of finishing among the top 20.
"Things did not go as expected last year and left me somewhat exhausted," she said.
Looking ahead to the start of her eighth LPGA Tour season at the Bahamas Classic, Pornanong claimed she is better prepared both physically and technically this year.
“This year, I have changed all my equipment with the exception of the wedge and the putter. I am driving longer and feel more comfortable with the new set,” said Pornanong.
“Physically, I feel better after the long lay-off. Mentally, I am ready to start the season.”
Tour novice Budsabakorn, who was a member of the team that won the gold at the 2014 Asian Games, said she has been practising a lot since turning pro a year ago.
Her efforts have paid dividends in the form of two professional tournament victories on the Chinese LPGA Tour and an LPGA Tour card.
“The LPGA Tour is the place I want to be as a golfer and my next step is to win a title,” said the 18-year-old Budsabakorn from Chiang Rai.