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The LPGA Tour completed their two weeks in Southeast Asia with the Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club, Pattaya in Chonburi, Thailand. This 72-hole event played on a par 72 layout of 6576 yards began in 2006. Ariya Jutanugarn won the event last season after shooting a final round of 63. She became the first home winner of the tournament in 14 years. The purse was $1.6 million and 500 points were to be awarded to the winner towards the Race to the CME Globe.

First Round

Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn struggled to a four-over front nine before two birdies on the back. At two-over, she was 11 shots behind the trio of Nasa Hataoka, Esther Henseleit, and Su Oh, who didn’t have a score above par between them. Xiyu Lin was just a shot back, while a group of six that included Celine Boutier, Jennifer Kupcho, and Brooke Henderson were just two shots off the pace. Danielle Kang went four-under par on her final six to get to within three of the lead, along with five others, including Jeongeun Lee6. At five-under par was a group of six that included 19-year-old Lucy Li, who went four under par from the 12th through the 15th holes. A logjam of 11 players including Yuka Saso and Madelene Sagstrom were at four-under par. Notables further back included Leona Maguire (three-under), and Thailand natives Moriya Jutanugarn and AtthayaThitikul (two-under), and Patty Tavatanakit (one-under).

Second Round

Nasa Hataoka continued her torrid pace, recording her second straight bogey free round was at 16-under par. Suh Oh got into a tie with Hataoka at the midpoint of the tournament with an eagled on the last hole. Celine Boutier and Nanna Koerstz Madsen shot rounds of 64 and were a shot off the pace. Xiyu Lin was two shots back after a round of 66, while Jennifer Kupcho and Brooke Henderson were lurking at 12-under par after rounds of 67. Minjee Lee got into the mix after a round of 64 that included an eagle on the par four 15th. She was at 11-under along with Carlota Ciganda and Alison Lee. Hyo Joo Kim and Jeongeun Lee6 were among four stll in contention at 10-under par. JarvareeBoonchant of Thailand posted a 65 and was at nine-under par along with six others including Danielle Kang. Notables included Leona Maguire and Lucy Li at eight-under, Patty Tavatanakit and AtthayaThitikul at seven-under, Yuka Saso and Moriya Jutanugarn at six-under, and Ariya Jutanugarn at four-under.

Third Round

Nanna Koerstz Madsen went three-under par over the final four holes and vaulted into the lead after 54 holes at 21-under par. She was a shot clear of Xiyu Lin and Celine Boutier. Gaby Lopez got to within three of the lead after a round of 64 that included seven birdies and an eagle. Brooke Henderson and Nasa Hataoka, who shot a relatively mediocre round of 70, were also at 18-under par. Alison Lee shot a round of 66 and was just four shots back after 54 holes, along with Jennifer Kupcho at 17-under par. Lucy Li got off to quick start, going five-under par over her first seven holes and was at 16-under along with Minjee Lee. Hinako Shibuno got into the mix after a round of 66 placed her at 15-under. Danielle Kang was among three players at 14-under. Notables include AtthayaThitikul (13-under), Jeongeun Lee6 (12-under), Patty Tavatanakit and Leona Maguire (11-under), Yuka Saso (nine-under), and Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn (six-under).

Final Round

Scoring remained low on the final day. Yuka Saso posted the round of the tournament with a 62 that included nine birdies and an eagle on the par 4 15th. She finished tied for 12th with six others, including Lucy Li, Nasa Hataoka, and Leona Maguire at 19-under par. At the very top of the leaderboard were Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Xiyu Lin, who finished at 26-under par. Koerstz Madsen won with a birdie on the second hole of the sudden death playoff. The win was fourth professional win and first on the LPGA Tour. Celine Boutier finished in sole possession of third at 25-under. Amy Yang posted a 64 and was tied with Brooke Henderson at 23-under. Hyo Joo Kim and Jennifer Kupcho finished tied for 6th at 20-under. Jeongeun Lee6, Danielle Kang, Hinako Shibuno and AtthayaThitikul all finished at 19-under and tied for 8th. Patty Tavanakit’s 65 put her in a tie for 19th along with Gaby Lopez who posted a round of 72. Ariya Jutanugarn had her best round of the tournament with a 66, but finished well off the pace at 12-under and was tied for 40th.

Coming Up

The LPGA Tour heads back to the United States March 24-27 for the JTBC Classic in Carlsbad, California. This 72-hole event is played at the Aviara Golf Club, which is a par 72 layout of 6609 yards. The tournament began in 2010 and was won last year by Inbee Park. He five-stroke win at 14-under par was the largest margin of victory in her professional career. The purse if $1.5 million with 500 points towards the Race to the CME Race to the Globe.