Seven Thais set for Singapore challenge

Major winners Ariya Jutanugarn and Patty Tavatanakit will lead the Thai challenge at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, which tees off in Singapore today.

The other five Thais are Moriya Jutanugarn, Pajaree Anannarukarn, Jasmine Suwannapura, Atthaya Thitikul and Wichanee Meechai.

Patty, 22, finished third in the tournament last year, just weeks after she won the ANA Inspiration, the year’s first major event which has since become the Chevron Championship.

World No.13 Patty was joint fourth in her previous event at the Drive On Championship last month.

Ariya, 26, has won 12 times on the LPGA Tour, including two major championships.

The world No.29 was runner-up in 2017 and has had two other top-four finishes in Singapore.

Atthaya, who turned 19 last month, is Thailand’s second-highest ranked player at No.20, behind No.13 Patty.

The LPGA rookie has played in two…