Rina Tatematsu wins National Qualifiers and Set to Join 70 of the World’s Best Golfers at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 in February
Waraporn Laoprasert (right), Marketing Communication (Category 3) Department Manager of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. together with Winnie Heng (left), Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Thailand award Rina Tatematsu (middle), Winner of the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers. The ceremony award was held at the Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course.
Bangkok – Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd joined with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) to organize The Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers from the 21st-22nd January 2020 to search for one winning Thai female golfer to qualify for the upcoming Honda LPGA Thailand 2020. The winner of National Qualifiers is Rina Tatematsu, who won after a playoff with Chanette Wannasaen and is now set to participate at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 to be held from 20-23 February, at the Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course.
Mr. Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, “From our successful event last year, that we held for the first time, we have once again organized the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers which provides aspiring local golfers the special opportunity to play in an elite tournament and compete with the best women players from around the world at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020. Today, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Rina Tatematsu for winning the qualifiers.
“Honda is proud to be a part of major initiatives that aim to empower new generations of Thai female golfers, and help give them the inspiration to improve their skills to play in professional tournaments in the future. We would like to support and encourage those who did not achieve their dream today, to not give up focus on their goals, and make their dreams come true in the future”, said Mr.Pitak.
“I’m very satisfied with my performance in the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers 2020. It will be a great and special opportunity for me to compete in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 with so many world-class professionals. I would like to thank Honda and the Sports Authority of Thailand for initiating this competition and for providing opportunities for us golfers to learn and develop the competitive skills required of world-class players and who strive to be a top-level player in the near future. Lastly, I would like to invite all golf fans to give their support and cheer for us at the tournament.” said Rina after her win.
On the first day, there were 58 participants in total and four joint winners: Benyapa Niphatsophon, former winner of last year’s National Qualifiers, Rina Tatematsu, Kultida Pramphun and Sarunchana Rattanasin with three rounds of 69.
“The standards were very high and it was a tough competition with so many good players. I think there are some great up-and-coming golfers in the qualifiers and I look forward to playing in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020,” added Rina, 18, who finished the day on -4 tied for first place with Chanette Wannasaen after rounds of 69 and 71.
Chanette, who had two rounds of 70, also finished on -4 and the tournament went to a playoff to decide the winner. After the scores were level on the first playoff hole, Rina proved too good and went on to win the tournament, which had 58 participants this year. Rina was invited by Ariya Jutanugarn to be part of Team Jutanugarn at the 2019 Major Champions Invitational at Orlando, Florida, USA.
The Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 will be organized from 20-23 February 2020 at Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course, featuring 70 female golfers, including 56 professionals from the 2020 LPGA Priority List, the winner of 2020 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, the winner of 2020 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, the winner of 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open, the winner of 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, eight invited players as well as the winner from the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers and the winner from the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship 2020, which will be held prior to the Honda LPGA Thailand this February.
Tickets including VIP tickets and Premium Grandstand tickets are available on the website www.hondalpgathailand.com. VIP tickets offer access to the Clubhouse hospitality at The Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course. All spectators can look forward to more activities on-site across the four days of the tournament. This year, 9 MCOT HD Channel 30, the official broadcaster, will broadcast the competition for all four days as well as through their online channel on www.mcot.net
For more information, visit www.hondalpgathailand.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lpgaThailand.
