Filipina golfers continue drive in Thai LPGA

MANILA, Philippines – Chanelle Avaricio and two other Filipinas resume their hunt on the Thailand LPGA Tour, hoping to get going early against a field teeming with local talents and six other foreign aces in the SAT-NSDF Thai LPGA Classic at the Royal Hill Golf Resort and Spa in Nakhon Nayok.

Avaricio, who tied for 16th in the recent Anvaya Cove Ladies International that featured the top Thai players seeing action this week, drew a late start at 12:25 p.m. on No. 10 with locals Sasikarn Somboonsup and Nishcha Sucharittham, while Marvi Monsalve will play alongside Phisitkhwan Pooratanaopa and fellow Thai Sawita Srtannyarat, also at 12:25 p.m. on the first hole.

Daniella Uy, meanwhile, launches her drive on 12:15 a.m., also on No. 1, against Intuon Detkhum and Pannaportn Amsanguan in the THB1.2 million serving as the third leg of this year’s Thai LPGA.

PK Kongkraphan and Pakin Kawinpakorn, who tied for second to Bianca Pagdanganan at Anvaya Cove, headline the crack field with the duo slugging it out right in the first day at 7:40 a.m. on No. 10 with Dussavi Soopimjit.

Joining the title hunt are Indonesia’s Ida Ayu Melati-Putri, Smrit Mehra and Tatiana Wijaya, Korean Beetnara Kim, Nayanika Sanga of India and Japanese Arisa Tomiya.

Other locals tipped to contend for the crown in the 54-hole championship are former Ladies Philippine Golf Tour campaigners Nemittra Juntanaket, Parinda Phokan, Sherman Santiwiwattanaphong, Mookharin Ladgratok, Wannasiri Sirisampant, Onkanok Soisuwan, Ploychompoo Wilairungreung, Pimnipa Panthong and Aunchisa Utama.

The Filipinas are also using the event as part of their buildup for the new LPGT season set to start next week in Bacolod.