It’s hot in Thailand which, of course, comes as no surprise. Even the Thai natives in the field are doing what they can to conserve energy in the 90-plus degree heat, especially Patty Tavatanakit, who enjoyed an emotional victory last week on the Ladies European Tour at the Aramco Saudi Ladies Invitational.
A weary Tavatanakit holds a share of the midway lead at the Honda LPGA Thailand with Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom and Sei Young Kim of South Korea at 10-under 134. Kim, a 12-time winner on the LPGA, last won in 2020, the same year Sagstrom won her first and only title. While Tavatanakit won last week on the LET, she hasn’t won on the LPGA since her maiden victory at the 2021 ANA Inspiration.
With 11 Thai players in the field, there’s plenty for locals to celebrate. Three Thai players are in the top 10, including 2021 Honda LPGA Thailand champion Ariya Jutanugarn.
Here are five things to know from Round 2 at Siam Country Club in steamy Chonburi:
Patty's still rolling
Less than a week after Tavatanakit triumphed in Saudi Arabia, she’s back on top in her home country. The former UCLA standout carded a second consecutive 67 to post her lowest 36-hole mark on tour since the 2021 Pelican Championship.
Now in her fourth start in Thailand, Tavantanakit’s previous best finish on home soil was a share of third in 2021. She carded six birdies on Friday and ranks second in the field in driving distance at 285.8 yards.
“I feel a little bit more fatigue coming off a strong play last week,” she said. “Used a lot of the adrenaline back there. It’s only Friday and it’s really hot and my body feels like it needs a lot of rest, so I’m going to go ahead and do that. I am sure the golf will just take care of itself.”
Valenzuela's vault
Former Stanford star Albane Valenzuela rocketed from 30th to a share of fourth with a second-round 65 that included the day’s only eagle on the first hole and six birdies.
Now making her second appearance in Thailand, the Swiss Olympian says she’s a different player than she was two years ago when she took a share of 59th.
“I used to have those big duck hooks and hook the ball and hit everything right to left, and now I hit everything left to right,” she said.
“I think it’s just reflecting on the number of fairways I hit; kind of my misses are not the misses I’ve had before. They were so penalizing the last two years. The good ones were good but terrible ones were terrible.”
As for this week, Valenzuela said her putting finally caught up to the level her ball-striking has been at for some time.
“It’s definitely been a little bit my nemesis over the last few months,” she said. “I feel like my ball striking has been really solid, and especially beginning of the year. Bradenton (LPGA Drive On) I hit the ball incredibly well and I think I had 10 three-putts, which was just ridiculous. My speed was totally off.”
Madelene Sagstrom
For Sagstrom, this marks the fourth time she’s held the 36-hole lead and the first since the 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open.
Now in her eighth season on tour, the three-time Solheim Cup player enjoyed playing alongside fellow Swede Ludvig Aberg last December at the Grant Thornton Invitational. The pair, who have known each other for a decade and share the same swing coach, attended the same sporting high school in Sweden, though not at the same time. Sagstrom’s fiancé Jack Clarke, caddied for Aberg last year.
“I bring experience to the game. I know how to pace myself, kind of how I work the best,” she said. “That takes years to figure out. How often do you play, how much do you play, where do I play better?
“We added really good stuff to each other’s games, but I do wish I had a little bit of that fearless mind. Like he goes for everything, he does not care yet. Hopefully, he never cares. No, it’s very impressive.”
Boonchant's full-circle moment
Jaravee Boonchant, 24, grew up watching the Honda LPGA Thailand event on TV, meaning the former Duke player knows well what the week means to the next generation. Boonchant, who holds a share of fourth with Valenzuela and major champ Hyo Joo Kim, is playing this week on a sponsor exemption.
“I am just super honored to be able to play here this week, especially in front of all the Thai fans, my parents, and especially all the Thai kids coming out,” she said. “I’m so happy. I did two (junior) sessions on Monday and I’m so happy to see all of them, 20 or 30 kids coming out in the afternoon. It was really hot, but they were really attentive and really eager to know more like driving technique and short game.”
Boonchant hopes to pace herself better on tour this year after playing in everything she could last season. She finished 94th on the 2023 CME Globe Points List to retain her card.
Big names
After opening with a 73, World No. 1 Lilia Vu vaulted 30 spots up the leaderboard into a share of 30th after a second-round 67. The defending champion hit only nine greens in the first round.
Former No. 1 Jin Young Ko, who is making her season debut, is T-24 after a 71, five strokes back.
