Bangkok (Thailand) – November 5, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., in partnership with IMG, announced today that it will host the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 from February 20-23, 2020, at the Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course, Chonburi, Thailand. The world's best female golfers will once again compete for a prize purse of US$1.6 million (approximately 53 million baht).

In line with Thailand's strategy to promote sports tourism, the tournament continues its activities under the motto "Road to Honda LPGA Thailand" to strengthen golf in Thailand beyond mere player development and to equip the golf industry with the necessary skills and knowledge to organize world-class golf tournaments. The Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 serves as a platform for Thai female golfers to hone their skills in preparation for the Olympic Games. The tournament also aims to become Thailand's most sustainable golf tournament.

Mr. Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., stated: “The Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 continues to operate under the ‘Dream Big’ theme, aiming to spark interest in golf and ignite the passion of professionals, amateurs, and junior players of all skill levels and backgrounds. Honda believes in the power of dreams. We want to encourage everyone to pursue and achieve their dreams and are convinced that everyone can achieve great things with determination.”

“The 2020 Honda LPGA Thailand will feature 70 female golfers, including 56 professionals from the 2020 LPGA Priority List, the winner of the 2020 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, the winner of the 2020 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, the winner of the 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open, the winner of the 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, eight invited players, the winner of the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers, and the winner of the 2020 Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship, which precedes the Honda LPGA Thailand. Thai golfer Atthaya ‘Jean’ Thitikul won the 2018 Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship. We hope that Thai fans will once again enjoy golf and cheer on their favorite golfers next year,” said Pitak.

“Last year was another milestone for the tournament and for Thailand. We saw continuous success and, thanks to our charity night and initiatives like ‘Beat the Pro’ and ‘Chip-4-Charity,’ where spectators could actively participate in fundraising, we achieved an increase in donations and financial support throughout the tournament. The proceeds benefited local communities and schools to promote education and improve children’s learning environments, as well as the Siriraj Foundation.”

Wiboon Champangeun, Director of Professional Sports Promotion and Development at the Sports Authority of Thailand, said: “At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, there will be two golf competitions, one for men and one for women. We hope that the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 will serve as a platform for Thai female golfers to hone their skills in preparation for the Olympic Games.”

In 2020, Honda and the Sports Authority of Thailand will once again organize special events leading up to the Honda LPGA Thailand. Under the motto "The Road to Honda LPGA Thailand," the aim is to further promote golf in Thailand. The program kicks off in December with the Young Ambassadors Program, aimed at students interested in golf and sports management. Selected students will have the opportunity to complete an internship abroad, gaining experience at international golf events. In January 2020, the national qualifying rounds will take place at the Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course. The winner will qualify for the Honda LPGA Thailand. During the tournament week, the Golf Leaders Conference will also be held – a professional development event for industry experts, designed to equip them with the necessary knowledge and expertise for organizing international golf tournaments.

During the 2020 tournament, there will be numerous activities, including the Honda LPGA Thailand Junior Golf Clinic, where young female golfers can receive tips from professional golfers and gain important insights into how to improve their game.

Pattaya's Deputy Mayor, Ronnakij Ekasingh, stated: "Pattaya is fully prepared and excited to once again host the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 at Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course. The facility boasts excellent golf courses and was included in Golf Digest's list of the 100 best golf courses in the world in 2018. Asia Golf Week also recognized it as the best-maintained golf course in the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, Pattaya offers five-star hotels and resorts, excellent restaurants, and beautiful sights. The city is therefore the perfect destination to delight visitors year-round."

Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stated: “We aim to promote golf and sports tourism to enhance Thailand’s global reputation and attract more high-spending visitors from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe, and the USA. Last year, we welcomed 38 million foreign tourists, including 470,000 golf tourists, generating 6.3 billion baht in tourism revenue. We are proud that Thailand boasts over 300 golf courses of the highest quality and standards, welcoming international golfers and visitors. Furthermore, with Ariya “May” Jutanugarn and Moriya “Mo” Jutanugarn, we have gained brand ambassadors who represent Thailand and inspire the next generation of golfers.”

Winnie Heng, Vice President and CEO of IMG Thailand, said: “The close partnership between IMG, Honda, and the LPGA helps ensure that the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 meets the highest standards. We are delighted that the tournament is among the most important golf tournaments on the tour. This year’s winner will receive prize money of US$1.6 million (approximately 53 million baht).”

“This year, together with our sponsors and partners, we will develop a comprehensive sustainability plan to implement the best solutions and initiatives for greater sustainability at the tournament. For example, we will use biodegradable food and beverage containers to reduce plastic consumption and improve waste management. We will inform all staff and spectators about the importance of sustainability and hope to motivate them to help us make the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 the leading sustainable golf tournament in Thailand.”

“On behalf of IMG, I would like to thank all partners, sponsors, supporters, and the Thai authorities who are making a significant contribution to ensuring that this tournament will once again be a milestone this year. The high stakes and intense competition of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 offer an ideal opportunity to further promote golf in the country. We are hoping for a strong performance from the home team,” added Ms. Heng.

Early bird tickets with a 20% discount are available now until November 30, 2019, at www.hondalpgathailand.com. VIP tickets, including access to the Clubhouse hospitality area, are also available on the website. All spectators can look forward to a diverse supporting program throughout the four days. The official broadcaster, 9 MCOT HD Channel 30, will be showing the competition live and online all four days this year.