Yang Hee-young, I Love Thailand

A Dominant Force at Honda LPGA Thailand's Season Opener
Three of Her Six Career Wins Came at This Tournament, All in Odd-Numbered Years
Tavatanakit, Titiwat, Ko Jin-young, and Kim A-lim Join the Field

There are players who excel in specific countries, specific regions, and specific golf courses.

Yang Hee-young

Veteran Hee-young Yang, who competes on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, is a prime example. She always shines when she goes to Thailand. Hee-young Yang is challenging for her first win of the 2025 season in the "promised land." The fiercely contested Honda LPGA Thailand (total prize money $1.7 million), part of the "Asian Swing," will be held on the 20th at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course in Chonburi, Thailand (par 72, 6,632 yards).

This tournament is Hee-young Yang's winning stronghold. Of her six LPGA Tour wins (including one major), three were secured here. She has shown exceptional strength in the hot climate of Thailand. Even when struggling without a win, she has demonstrated extraordinary power at the Honda LPGA Thailand. She claimed the title every two years in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Her past finishes include 10th in 2010, 7th in 2011, tied for 3rd in 2016 and 2021, and tied for 4th in 2022. Her last victory was at the major KPMG Women's PGA Championship in June last year. She is currently eager for another win. Last month, she tied for 22nd at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

This tournament is the third event of the LPGA Tour this year. Following the season opener Tournament of Champions and the Founders Cup two weeks ago, the tour moves to Asia. After the Honda LPGA Thailand, the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore (February 27?March 2, total prize money $2.4 million) and the Blue Bay LPGA in China (March 6?9, total prize money $2.5 million) will continue through early March.

Many top-ranked players have entered this tournament. Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit, along with world No. 2 Jin-young Titiwat (both from Thailand), who won last week’s Ladies European Tour (LET) PIF Saudi Ladies International, are strong contenders. South Korea is represented by Ko Jin-young, season opener winner Kim A-lim, last year’s tied 3rd place finishers Kim Sei-young and Choi Hye-jin, as well as Kim Hyo-joo and Yoo Hae-ran. Founders Cup winner No Ye-rim (USA), In Ruoning (China), Lilia Vu (USA), Yuka Saso, and Rio Takeda (both from Japan) will also compete.