BMW Ladies Leader: Atthaya Thitikul has a lot riding on Sunday’s BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.
In the race for Player of the Year on the LPGA, she can assume the lead.
In essence, she has Rookie of the Year locked up.
She can succeed Jin Young Ko as the top athlete in the world.
The 19-year-old Thai doesn’t really give a damn about all of that. Thitikul has her eyes on the prize as she enters the final round at Oak Valley Country Club with a one-shot lead.
“To be completely honest, I couldn’ care less about the ranking. I play golf to take care of my family, so I don’t really care to be like No. 1 in the world,” said Thitikul, who will receive $300,000 for a victory on Sunday. “I want to provide for my family. I’m fine the way I am. Even my family members already live happy lives. For me, ranking is not really that essential.
Thitikul can achieve a solitary fourth-place result or better and climb to the top of the Rolex Rankings, for those who care. Jin Young Ko’s withdrawal on Saturday after rounds of 80-79 paved the way for her.
With a victory, which carries 30 points in the POY standings, Thitikul would overtake Minjee Lee in terms of honours. Lee, who leads by 25 points, may maintain her advantage with a fifth-place showing. She is T-51 and 12 shots back of fifth place, though. Thitikul is already 243 points clear of Hye-Jin Choi, who is T-5 on the leaderboard and three shots behind Thitikul at 15 under, in the race for the Louise Suggs Award for top rookie.
Thitikul scored a 5-under 67 on Saturday to overtake Andrea Lee, who is now one shot down and tied for second with Lydia Ko. Thitikul played holes 12 through 15 in 5 under par with three birdies and an eagle on the par-4 13th in Round 3, recording a round without a blemish. If she triumphs, Lydia Ko would be passed by her at the top of the Race to the CME Globe.
Thitikul isn’t putting any extra pressure on herself with the manner she’s playing or what she’s playing for.
Being in the final group has never been easy, but it also signifies that your efforts are paying off. So just keep doing what you’re doing,” Thitikul said. You can compete every week, but you can’t win every week, so just play well, give it your all, and enjoy the final 18 holes since I’m leaving for home.
There are only three events left on the LPGA schedule after this week, and Thitikul is anticipated to easily qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. The prize money for that competition is $2 million.
That will increase the pressure.
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