Bangkok, Thailand: Thai Country Club (TCC) proved a welcoming and popular venue for the inaugural Aramco Team Series – Bangkok.
Although home favourite Patty Tavatanakit’s bid for individual glory fell just short, the immaculately-presented TCC course, an Asian Golf Industry Federation Facility Member, shone brightly.
The big winner was Belgium’s Manon De Roey, who clinched her first Ladies European Tour (LET) title by three strokes. The 30-year-old went into the final day two shots behind pace-setting Tavatanakit, but equalled the course record with a bogey-free six-under 66 to win with a total of 13-under-par.
“It feels great! I was waiting for this for a long time, so I’m very happy,” said De Roey. “I fought really hard and I’m happy I came through and got the win.”
After Tavatanakit dropped three shots on the front nine to relinquish her lead, it was De Roey and England’s Felicity Johnson who set the pace. De Roey made her decisive move on the back nine, rolling in birdies on 10, 12, 14 and 15 to seal a three-shot victory and become the third Belgian to win on the LET.
“I started quite strongly. I was hitting it quite close and made a birdie on the second. I just stayed patient and dropped in some good putts,” she continued. “I’ve been working hard on my game and I was just trying to stay patient for the win. I was really hoping to get this win last year, so I’m really happy I have got it now.”
Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson continued her excellent form in 2022 with another second-place finish as she carded a bogey-free 68 to finish on 10-under. “It’s been a good week,” said the Swede, who has had three second places in 2022.
Scotland’s Kylie Henry and Thailand’s Tavatanakit finished in a tie for third place on eight-under.
The Scot, who fractured her elbow last October and was out for four months, produced a final round of 69 which included six birdies and three bogeys.
Three players were in a share of fifth place on seven-under including the 2022 Madrid Ladies Open champion Ana Peláez, as well as Thai Ariya Jutanugarn and England’s Johnson.
Meanwhile, Team Hillier triumphed in the team event. After starting the second day in front, Whitney Hillier, Chonlada Chayanun, Krista Bakker and amateur Pattanan Amatanon backed up their excellent first round with another great effort to seal victory on 31-under.
It was a first LET title for Hillier and Chonlada, whose home club is Thai Country Club.
This week’s debut Bangkok leg was the first of five US$1 million Aramco Team Series tournaments on the LET calendar for 2022 – and the first with the three-day event’s new format.
Updated from last year’s inaugural Series, the teams now compete over only 36 holes – the Thursday and Friday of the tournament – with US$500,000 prize-money being split between the lowest scoring fourballs.
Saturday’s final day of play sees only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another US$500,000, this time in individual earnings.