PM cheers on Ariya
Prayut advises history maker to avoid injuries for further success
PM vows support for Ariya after breakthrough LPGA win.
>> Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has promised that the government will extend all possible support to Ariya Jutanugarn, the latest Thai golf sensation.
The 20-year-old became the first Thai champion on the LPGA Tour when she captured the Yokohama Tire Classic title in Alabama on Sunday.
Gen Prayut welcomed Ariya to Government House yesterday.
“I am proud to see a young Thai become a rising star on the international stage,” the prime minister told Ariya.
“More importantly, you have made history and brought good reputation to the country. You have also brought happiness to all Thai people. The government will give you support.”
He also thanked her family and her major sponsor SCG for their roles in Ariya’s success.
Gen Prayut told Ariya to try to avoid injury.
“I wish you become more successful and win more tournaments,” he said.
The premier then showed his putting skills at his office.
Later, Ariya told reporters: “I feel glad to have met the prime minister. I wanted to play a round of golf with him but he had no time.
“Today, we putted together and his skills are very good.”
She reiterated that she would try to win her next LPGA title as soon as possible and keep her current world ranking to be eligible for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.
Ariya is now ranked 21st in the world and should qualify for the Rio Games along with Pornanong Phatlum, who is 33rd.
“The Olympic gold is one of my goals this year,” Ariya said on Thursday.
“I will try my best to bring home the medal despite the fact that the course does not suit my game.
“On the tour, I am always trying to win every tournament and my target is to be among the top 10 in the world by the end of this year.”
Ariya, playing in her second year on the LPGA Tour, said she needed a change in her attitude after coming close to winning the title on many occasions in the past.
She claimed that it was the power of positive thinking that led her to success in Prattville, Alabama.
“I have worked quite hard in the past few months. Finally, I made it with my new way of thinking and practising.
“My caddie always tells me to believe in myself and love each shot that I play. It works well.”
Thailand’s former LPGA player Numa Gulyanamitta said: “It’s exciting that there are going to be a lot of good Thai players on the LPGA Tour.
“Men’s golf is very popular in Thailand, but now that we have more women players, people will be cheering both.”
Apart from Ariya and Pornanong, Thailand could also hope for Olympic medals in the men’s competition with in-form Kiradech Aphibarnrat and veteran Thongchai Jaidee, ranked 42nd and 49th in the world respectively both likely to secure tickets to Rio where golf will make a return to the Games.