Thai amateur sensation Atthaya Thitikul finished as the leading amateur at the AIG Women’s British Open today.
“It’s awesome, I never thought that I would be here again because I needed to win on the Ladies European Tour to qualify into this event. It has been awesome to get back here.
“I had a great time this week, I just played my game and I really enjoyed every moment."
With rounds of 73, 68, 70, 73 she finished the championship in a tie for 29th place on four-under par 284 to earn The Smyth Salver.
“This week I hit the ball really well but the final round was a bit of a struggle with my putter but I had a really good time here.
“When I play in professional events, I get real experience and I adapt that to every tournament that I play. I just keep wanting to improve my game.”
This is the second year in a row that Thitikul has claimed the low amateur honour.
Thitikul, the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific champion, was one of two amateurs to make the cut at the year’s final major.
Also playing all four rounds at Woburn Golf Club was current Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific champion Yuka Yasuda of Japan, who earned her place in the field this week thanks to her victory in April.
Yasuda posted rounds of 73, 70, 70 and 77 to finish the championship on two-over par 290 and tied 59th place.
As a result of her Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship victory, Yasuda also earned an invitation to last week’s Evian Championship where she was the equal leading amateur, finishing in a tie for 37th.
Huge congratulations to Atthaya Thitikul who won the Smyth Salver as @AIGWBO leading amateur for the second consecutive year 🏆
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) August 4, 2019
Atthaya is also the LETs youngest ever winner & earlier this season won Ladies European Thailand Championship for the second time 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻#AIGWBO pic.twitter.com/82b4xfHEBT
The AIG Women’s British Open was won by Hinako Shibuno of Japan who recorded rounds of 66, 69, 67 and 68 for a tournament total 18-under par 270.
With a birdie on the 72nd hole, Shibuno won by a shot from Lizette Salas of the United States of America.