Atthaya Thitikul makes history on Ladies European Tour
By Yash Padhye
14-year old Thai amateur Atthaya Thitikul, has broken Lydia Ko’s record with her win at the LET Thailand Championship.
Atthaya Thitikul has suddenly appeared on golf radar. And why not? The14-year old amateur won the inaugural Ladies European Tour Thailand Championship by two strokes.
Thitikul shot a final round 72 to finish the tournament at five-under par.
Just like any professional golf tournament, there’s a winner at the end. But at the Thailand Championship Atthaya Thitikul made history.
She's done it! Atthaya Thitikul has become the youngest ever winner on the Ladies European Tour aged 14 years, 4 months & 19 days! #LETC2017 pic.twitter.com/jNqSavo44A
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) July 9, 2017
Breaking Records
Thitikul now holds that title of being the youngest player to win a Ladies European Tour event. That record was previously held by New Zealand’s Lydia Ko.
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According to theguardian.com Ko won her first LET event at 15 years, nine months and 17 days. Thitikul won hers at 14 years, four months and 19 days.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson currently holds the record for being the youngest player to win a professional golf event. She won on the Canadian Women’s Tour at 14 years, nine months and three days.
Interest in Golf at an Early Age
Thitikul started to gain interest in golf after she watched the sport on TV at a young age.
She told BBC Sport,
"My family do not play golf. When I was younger, aged six, my father told me to play sport and he offered tennis or golf and I watched golf on TV and I liked it."
Thitikul started off her final round one shot behind Ana Menendez but overcame the deficit and made par on the par-5 18th to seal the victory.
She told the Associated Press after her round,
"‘I’m so happy for my win this week and feel so proud of myself. I give this win to all Thais."
Thitikul credited her caddie with keeping her calm and collected throughout the final round. She came to the Thailand Open hoping to take notes from the professionals on the Ladies European Tour.
She told theguardian.com,
"I didn’t expect to win this tournament as I just came here to learn techniques from the pro players on the Ladies European."
Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, and Ariya Jutanugarn – take note! There’s a new kid on the block!
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While she is technically the champion, Thitikul will not be able to collect the prize money that comes along because of her amateur status. She will not receive the 45,000 euros and that prize money will instead be picked up by Menendez.