Honda Thailand 2021 R3
May 06-09
Siam Country Club, Pattaya Old Course, Chonbury, Thailand
$1,600,000
Round 1, Round 2, Round 4

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Patty Tavatanakit is poised to become the first Thai player to win the Honda LPGA Thailand as she holds the 54-hole lead at Siam Country Club at 18-under. The last time she held the 54-hole lead was at the 2021 ANA Inspiration where she went on to win.

Honda Thailand 2021 R3

“I feel like I was a little bit more nervous at ANA just because that was my first time, let alone it was a major. But this event is sort of the same feeling. I'm still a little nervous, but I feel like I have more self-control and self-awareness in the sense I'm able to bring myself back to normal, more normal than ANA I would say,” said Tavatanakit. “If anything, I'm just going to do everything the same. I feel like I've been so tired every single day that I think I'm going to be able to sleep tonight.”

Tavatanakit started her round with a three-shot lead, which turned into a five shot lead when Atthaya Thitikul bogeyed her first hole of the day and Tavatanakit birdied the 2nd.

Honda Thailand 2021 R3

Tavatanakit lost some ground when she bogeyed the 3rd and 9th but a crucial par-save at the 10th gave her the push she needed finish under-par day with a 2-under 70.

“I think it really did get my momentum going in the back nine. I really think I was a little bit confused. I was multitasking. I was trying to eat on the 10th hole and I was just not 100% today with my energy level. But if anything, it just goes to show you don't have to be 100% perfect to shoot under par.”

Honda Thailand 2021 R3

Should she win Tavatanakit could become the third Thai player in history to record multiple victories on the LPGA Tour, joining Ariya Jutanugarn (10) and Jasmine Suwannapura (2).

“I mean, I'm just happy to be home and can't really control the result there,” said Tavatanakit. “I don't think practicing today would do any help just because I'm already so fried, and if I try to use all my energy today it would not be enough for tomorrow, you know. So conserving energy is important, and I'm going to go home and do whatever it is that I been doing not relating to golf, and just have fun and just stay relaxed.”

Honda Thailand 2021 R3

After two bogeys in her first three holes, 18-year-old Thitikul rebounded with six birdies to finish with a 68 and in a tie for second with Caroline Masson at 17-under.

“The key is to be patient, be patient, and then just put yourself in a good position, like is a safe position and like to have a chance to make a birdie,” said Thitikul, who could accept immediate Membership for the LPGA Tour with a win on Sunday. “Everyone want to win tomorrow, of course I want to win as well. But at the same time, I just take tomorrow as a learning opportunity. You know, like just do the best that I can. If I playing good, it's good.”

Honda Thailand 2021 R3