Bangkok (Thailand) – November 1, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Honda Automobile Thailand, in partnership with IMG, will host the 13th edition of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 from February 21-24, 2019, at the Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course, Chonburi. The aim is to further support female golfers in realizing their dreams this year by holding a national qualifying round for the first time. One Thai golfer will qualify for the Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 and compete against 70 other women from around the world for a prize purse of US$1.6 million (approximately 53 million baht). The qualifying round also serves to raise the level of men's golf in Thailand and encourage Thai amateur golfers to reach their full potential.

Mr. Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer of Honda Automobile, said: “The Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 is taking place for the thirteenth consecutive year. This year, the tournament's theme is ‘Dream Big.’ This concept aims to spark interest in golf and ignite the passion of professionals, amateur golfers, and up-and-coming players of all skill levels and backgrounds. We want to encourage them to pursue and achieve their dreams, because we believe that everyone can achieve great things with determination – this is also an extension of Honda's corporate motto, ‘The Power of Dreams.’ We want to continue promoting golf in Thailand, raising standards, and further strengthening Thailand's status as a world-class golf destination.”

The 2019 Honda LPGA Thailand will feature 70 female golfers, including 58 professionals from the 2019 LPGA Priority List, the winners of the 2019 Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic and the 2019 ISPS Honda Women's Australian Open, as well as nine invited players and the winner of the Honda LPGA Thailand national qualifying rounds. Last year's Honda LPGA Thailand field was already strong, featuring the top ten golfers from the 2018 LPGA Priority List.

Furthermore, in 2019, Honda and the Thai Sports Authority will collaborate on a series of special events leading up to the Honda LPGA Thailand, including the initiative "The Road to Honda LPGA Thailand." The goal of this initiative is to further develop golf in Thailand. It will kick off with the first national qualifier in January 2019 at Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course. The winner will participate in the tournament along with some of her compatriots and compete against world-class golfers. The national qualifier offers Thai female golfers an excellent platform to prove themselves in a professional competition.

Following this, a seminar for young ambassadors will take place. The aim of this seminar is to provide students interested in golf and sports management with a comprehensive understanding of golf as an economic sector, as well as the various aspects of organizing an international golf tournament. Selected students will also have the opportunity to complete an internship abroad. The path to becoming a Honda LPGA Thailand ambassador also includes a Golf Leaders Conference – a specialized conference for industry experts that equips them with the necessary knowledge and expertise for organizing international golf events.

Mr. Ittipol Khunpluem, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports, stated: “The continued success of the Honda LPGA Thailand contributes to strengthening Thailand’s reputation as a golfing nation and the potential of Thai female golfers competing in world-class professional tournaments. It also aligns perfectly with our sports tourism strategy, which aims to enhance Thailand’s global reputation and attract more high-spending visitors. We estimate that over 400,000 golf tourists visit Thailand annually. This group spends two to three times more than other tourists and generates approximately 4.8 billion baht annually. Encouragingly, the number of golf tourists increased from 10% to 12% last year. The Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 will continue to play a vital role in the country’s economy.”

Pattaya has benefited enormously from the increased attention the city has received as a tournament host. Mr. Poramase Ngampiches, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, said: “I am very proud that Pattaya has been entrusted with hosting the Honda LPGA Thailand for over ten years. This continued trust as a host city for a top-class golf tournament is a clear testament to our quality and high standards and underlines Pattaya’s potential to develop into a premier destination for sporting events of all kinds, especially golf. The Old Course at Siam Country Club Pattaya, for example, is ranked among the top 100 golf courses in the world by Golf Digest (2018). With its excellent golf courses, five-star hotels and resorts, fine restaurants, and beautiful sights, the city is well-equipped to welcome and delight visitors year-round and for any occasion.”

Winnie Heng, Vice President and General Manager of IMG Thailand, said: “The close partnership between IMG, Honda, and the LPGA helps ensure that the Honda LPGA Thailand maintains the highest standards. We are delighted to host this flagship tournament once again, which grows in popularity and prestige year after year. This year, the winner will receive prize money of US$1.6 million (approximately 53 million baht). The high stakes and intense competition at a tournament of this caliber provide an ideal opportunity to further promote golf in the country. We are hoping for a strong performance from the home team. This year, MCOT HD, the official broadcaster, will be showing the competition on all four days. The partnership with MCOT HD makes the tournament more accessible to Thais throughout the country. Furthermore, there will be even more on-site activities this year for spectators to enjoy throughout the four days,” Ms. Heng added.

Among the many top Thai female golfers who will be taking part in the tournament are two professionals who started as amateurs at Honda LPGA Thailand and are now very successful on the LPGA Tour: Ariya “May” Jutanugarn, who returned to the top of the Rolex world rankings this week, and Moriya “Mo” Jutanugarn, who won the Hugel-JTBC LA Open last April.

Moriya said: “The Honda LPGA Thailand is like a second home to me. It was the gateway to my golf career and a crucial step into professional golf for many other Thai women golfers. As a Thai golfer myself, I am very proud that the Honda LPGA Thailand gives so many Thai women golfers the opportunity to realize their dreams and achieve their goals. Competing against professional golfers is the best way for us to learn and develop our skills. I warmly invite all Thai fans to come and cheer on the Thai women golfers during the tournament next February.”

Early bird tickets with a 25% discount are available now until December 16th at www.hondalpgathailand.com. VIP tickets with hospitality upgrades, including access to the Clubhouse hospitality area, are also available on the website for the first year.