Special Guest Players at the KLPGA Hanwha Classic
Enthusiastic about Korean culture…thrives in domestic tournaments
“I love K-pop, dramas, jjajangmyeon, and barbecue”
온라인카지노 Former World No. 1 Ataya Thittitjer (Thailand) has a special love for Korea. That’s why she readily agreed to play as a special guest at the Hanwha Classic, the third major of the 2023 season on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, which kicked off at Jade Palace Golf Club (Par 72, 6777 yards) in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on April 24. “I am honored to be invited to the Hanwha Classic, which is the representative tournament of the KLPGA Tour,” she smiles, “and I think the tournament officials were happy to have me.”
Teethitzer is immersed in Korean culture. “I’m a big fan of Korean media, like K-pop and Korean dramas,” he smiles, “but I also love Korean culture and food.” When asked about his favorite food, he says, “There are so many. Tteokbokki, jajangmyeon, Korean barbecue,” he said.
LPGA Rookie of the Year Ataya Thitiporn (right) and long-hitting Kim Ah-rim smile during the official press conference for the Hanwha Classic.
Thititjang is a force to be reckoned with in the world of women’s golf. She made headlines in 2017 when she became the youngest player to win the Ladies European Tour (LET) Thailand Championship (14 years, 4 months and 19 days). She had a stellar 2020 season on the Thai Tour, winning five times. In the winter of 2021, she finished third on the U.S. Women’s Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour’s Qualifying (Q) School, earning a spot on the U.S. roster the following year. She won two tournaments in her rookie year and was named Rookie of the Year. At one point, she was ranked No. 1 in the world. He is currently ranked 18th in the world and 26th on the money list ($789,913).
Titjer has made a strong impression in domestic competition. Last October, she finished sixth at the LPGA Tour’s BMW Ladies Championship at Oak Valley Golf Course in Wonju, Gangwon Province, after leading through three rounds. She also tied for ninth at the KLPGA Tour’s Hana Financial Group Singapore Women’s Open in December. “I always have good memories of tournaments in Korea,” she said, “and I remember the Korean fans were very supportive at the BMW Ladies Championship last year.”
Thi Thitjer is looking for her first win in Korea. The Hanwha Classic is the largest women’s tournament in Korea with a prize pool of $360 million. “I always get positive vibes from Korea. I hope to make a lot of Korean friends during the tournament,” she said. “There is pressure on my world ranking, but I plan to have fun. I will repay them with a good performance.”