Singapore: Newly-crowned Major champion Patty Tavatanakit is primed to light up the fairways of Sentosa Golf Club at next week’s HSBC Women’s World Championship.

In the wake of her first LPGA Tour victory at the ANA Inspiration, the big-hitting 21-year-old has been granted a sponsor invitation for the showpiece event over the New Tanjong Course at Sentosa, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“I’m feeling good about where my game is right now, and I really feel ready to take on the rest of the season. The win at the ANA Inspiration hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m so grateful to my coaches and trainers who helped make that lifelong dream a reality,” said Tavatanakit.

On her last appearance at Sentosa, Tavatanakit was among the pre-tournament favourites in the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in early 2018.

On that occasion, though, she had to settle for a share of 15th place on 287, no fewer than 11 strokes behind her triumphant compatriot Atthaya Thitikul.

Some three years on, Tavatanakit is looking to fare rather better. “I’m really excited to play the HSBC Women’s World Championship for the first time. It’s a tournament I’ve always followed from home in Thailand. I’ll be familiar with the conditions in Singapore so hope I can do well,” she said.

Also receiving sponsor invitations for the limited field event from April 29-May 2 are Singapore number one Amanda Tan, China’s Lin Xiyu and Emily Pedersen of Denmark.

For Tan, Singapore’s top ranked player, it will be her fourth outing at the tournament having played in 2014, 2017 and 2019.

“It’s a great honour to represent Singapore once again, and especially to play at Sentosa Golf Club, which is my home club. As always, I’m really looking forward to it and will do my absolute best,” said 22-year-old Tan.

While Lin is returning to Singapore for the first time since 2016, Pedersen makes her tournament debut on the back of an impressive run of form on the Ladies European Tour in 2020, notching up four wins a runner-up finish in the Aberdeen Standard Ladies Scottish Open.

Olfert De Wit, Interim CEO of HSBC Singapore said: “The HSBC Women’s World Championship is our flagship event in women’s golf and we are thrilled to have recently announced our ongoing commitment as title partner of the event.

“Hosting this tournament in one of HSBC’s most important international hubs showcases our firm commitment to Singapore and women in sport.

“We are delighted to be able to extend sponsor invitations to such exciting Asian talent as Patty and Amanda and to be able to open up this opportunity for them both. We were thrilled to see Patty recently become a Major winner.”