Honda LPGA Thailand Championship 2009 is being held from February 26 to March 1, 2009, at Siam Country Club, Pattaya. The event is bigger than ever with top 50 available LPGA players including nine of the top 10.
Defending Champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway is back to defend her crown. The 26 year old defending champ (who as of this post is ranked 4th in the world) is expected to face a very touch challenge this year as the field is very strong.
Following are some of the notable players many fans can’t wait to see.
The Stars
Lorena Ochoa
Nationality: Mexico
Height: 5′ 6″
World Ranking: 1
With 77 top 10 finishes including 24 career victories, Lorena has taken over the title of best female golfer from Annika and remained strong. She has also won the Rolex Player of the Year award for 2006, 2007, and 2008 seasons.
Paula Creamer
Nationality: USA
Height: 5′ 9″
World Ranking: 3
2005 Rolex Rookie of the Year is best American player in the world right now and is the most popular player on the LPGA tour. In 2005, just 4 days before graduating high school, 18 years old Paula became the youngest player to win multi-round event in LPGA history, and before her 19th birthday, she became the fastest player to reach $1 Million career earnings mark. And less than 3 years later, 21 years old Creamer became fastest player to reach $4 Million career earnings. Paula also spearheaded the Team USA twice in Solheim Cup (2005, 2007) against Europe and will again be starring in this year’s Solheim Cup Team.
Morgan Pressel
Nationality: USA
Height: 5′ 5″
Morgan became youngest player ever to qualified for US Women’s Open in 2001 at the age of 12. In 2007, Morgan became youngest player to win a major champtionship when she won it just a few months before her 20th birthday. Morgan was also a member of 2007 US Solheim Cup Team.
Sophie Gustafson
Nationality: Sweden
Height: 5′ 10″
The powerful Sophie is a veteran golfer who was a member of Europe’s Solheim Cup team for the past 6 events (1998,2000,2003,2005,2007). Experienced Gustafson is always a thread to challenge for the top 10 finish in tough courses like Siam Country Club.
The Pinups
Natalie Gulbis
Nationality: USA
Height: 5′ 9″
Natalie is known as the poster girl of the LPGA, and her swimsuit calendars and features in magazines such as FHM made her even more famous among male fans of the game. Natalie is also famous in tournaments for her sexy, short dresses as well as her magnificent game. Sometimes, people forget that Natalie is a great golfer who starred in 2005 and 2007 USA Solheim Cup teams, and a winner of 2007 Evian Masters.
Maria Verchenova
Nationality: Russia
Height: 5′ 9″
Maria is known as Ladies European Tour’s glamour girl, and not well known among many fans as LET hasn’t been featured as much in the media as LPGA. At least it is about to change for many Asian fans as Maria Verchenova will be teeing up with the LPGA stars this week in LPGA Honda Thailand Championship.
The Rising Stars
Minea Blomqvist
Nationality: Finland
Height: 5′ 4″
Minea is two time Junior Solheim Cup team player for Europe, and one of the rising stars of European golf. Minea plays in and is a member of both LET and LPGA. Last year, Minea carded a season low 65 at the second round of Fields Open in Hawaii.
Jane Park
Nationality: USA
Height: 5′ 4″
This Korean-American is a product of UCLA and has a decorated amateur career before turning pro in 2007. Jane is currently ranked 44 in the World but has been climbing the list pretty fast. As an amateur, Jane has won almost as much as Paula Creamer and finished second the AJGA’s Rolex Girls Amateur Championship when she lost to Paula in the sudden death playoff.
Stacy Prammanasudh
Nationality: USA
Height: 5′ 6″
Stacy is a Thai-American, and a member of 2007 US Solheim Cup Team. She won 2007 Fields Open in Hawaii and had four top 10 finishes in 2008.
