Up next: Honda LPGA Thailand — International Crown top fives
The IX: Golf Thursday with Marin Dremock, Feb. 20, 2025
The 2025 Honda LPGA Thailand is up next on the LPGA Tour docket, and here’s what you need to know.
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Welcome back to Golf Thursday, everyone.
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After a week-long break (for some players), the LPGA is back with its third event of the season: the Honda LPGA Thailand. This event marks the start of one of two trips to Asia that the Tour will take.
The Old Course at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand plays host to the Honda LPGA Thailand for the 17th time. The track will play around 6,700 yards and at par 72, given the setup the tournament directors decide on each round.
Given the history, LPGA pros are no stranger to Siam and this tournament. There are six past champions competing this week: Lilia Vu, Nonna Koerstz Madsen, Ariya Jutanugarn, Anna Nordqvist, Amy Yang — a three-time tournament winner — and defending champion, from Thailand, Patty Tavatanakit.
Fellow compatriot Jeeno Thitikul looks to accomplish a feat similar to Tavatanakit’s last year. Last week, on Feb. 16, Thitikul won the 2025 PIF Saudi Ladies International. Tavatanakit won that tournament last year, then went on to win the Honda LPGA Thailand the next week. It was an outstanding and emotional victory all around, as she won for the first time since 2021 and in her home country.
“Yeah, I feel like last year I came on a heater a little bit just winning in Saudi, and just coming here my game felt really good,” Tavatanakit reflected during a pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 19. “This year I feel like I’m just focusing on what I’ve been working on and see how I can improve from there.”
This tournament will be Thitikul’s season debut on the LPGA Tour, and she’ll look to build on a stunning 2024 season. But if Thitikul wants to succeed and Tavatanakit wants to defend, they’ll have to top a field that’s full of competitors, including 10 other players from Thailand. Thitikul has reason to be especially motivated, though, since she couldn’t play the Honda LPGA Thailand last season.
“Definitely want to win it,” she said pre-tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 19. “Want to show and give my 100% and then all that I have out there.”
Could we possibly see a string of victories for a different Thai golfer this year? What a coincidence it would be.
Other pros in the field are LPGA Tour rookies Chisato Iwai, Akie Iwai and Rio Takeda. Anna Nordqvist, Georgia Hall and amateur Gianna Clemente highlight some of the sponsor invites to the Honda LPGA Thailand.
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I know it’s a time zone nightmare, but if you’re willing to brave the late night TV times, here’s how to watch.
Tune in on the Golf Channel for the second round Thursday, Feb. 20 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Then, on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, catch the third and final rounds respectively from 10:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. also on Golf Channel.
As always, highlights are posted on Instagram and YouTube, so you can catch up with the best shots of the round without having to burn the midnight oil. Enjoy this one, and we’ll catch you next week. We should be getting into the full swing of things. (Pun intended.)
This week in women’s golf
LPGA News
Lydia Ko appears on cover of Vogue Korea (and absolutely kills it)
Rose Zhang joins The Bay Golf Club ownership group
Field breakdown: 2025 Honda LPGA Thailand
How to watch the 2025 Honda LPGA Thailand
LPGA announces new pace of play policy
LET News
Gainer leads Order of Merit after two events
LET stars sign on for Australian WPGA Championship
Thitikul cruises to 2025 PIF Saudi Ladies International Crown
Team Somi Lee triumph in Riyadh as Thitikul leads individual
Epson Tour News
Australian Cassie Porter playing on tour for first time in 2025
Five at The IX: The top five qualifying countries, players in the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown standings (so far)
Every week, we inch closer to the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown. Granted, the competition is not until this October, but it’s still fun to keep watch of the standings from week to week. Since last week, after the 2025 Founders Cup came to a close, all qualifying countries and players were unchanged, but there were some shifts in the alternate spots. The players’ rankings are quite close, so there could still be a lot of shifting between now and October. Here are the top five countries, their four qualifying players, their points based on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings of their four players and their one current alternate player.
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USA (35 points)
- Nelly Korda (1)
- Lilia Vu (5)
- Rose Zhang (14)
- Lauren Coughlin (15)
- Angel Yin (17)
Republic of Korea (51 points)
- Haeran Ryu (8)
- Jin Young Ko (9)
- Amy Yang (12)
- Ina Yoon (22)
- Hyo Joo Kim (26)
Japan (58 points)
- Ayaka Furue (10)
- Miyu Yamashita (13)
- Rio Takeda (16)
- Yuka Saso (19)
- Akie Iwai (33)
Thailand (119 points)
- Jeeno Thitikul (2)
- Patty Tavatanakit (25)
- Ariya Jutanugarn (43)
- Chanettee Wannasaen (49)
- Pajaree Anannarukam (61)
Australia (129 points)
- Hannah Green (6)
- Minjee Lee (21)
- Gabi Ruffels (48)
- Steph Kyriacou (54)
- Grace Kim (80)
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