Better known by the nickname Pro May in Thailand, Ariya Jutanugarn started her professional career in 2012. Currently 2nd in the Rolex ranking, she set a historic record by being the first woman to win three consecutive victories in three events. of the LPGA Tour. Since September 19, Ariya has represented her country with dignity on the occasion of international events and thus contributes to the promotion of its numerous courses and its exceptional infrastructures, in order to definitively position Thailand as a must-see golf destination.

You won the Women's British Open this year. No one had so far managed to bring a Grand Slam title back to Thailand?

It is true. I'm not just happy because I'm the first in Thailand to win this type of tournament, but because I've shown the world the level of Thai golf.

Are you proud to represent Thailand?

Yes, it is a great honor for me to represent my country, its hospitality, its culture and of course its gastronomy. The smile is in our genes and I will do my best to smile as much as possible.

What is your favorite dish in Thailand?

I really feel like Thai food makes me stronger on the courses. When I come back to Thailand, I never forget to go and taste Som Tum, a typical dish made from grilled chicken with sticky rice.

Are you fully recovered from your left knee injury?

Yes, that is now ancient history. At the Olympics I was injured and unfortunately had to give up. It really upset me because of course all athletes want to win a medal at the Olympics. I was able to heal thanks to a specific treatment called “Drying Needle treatment”. After nine days I felt like I did before, which certainly won me the Canadian Pacific Women's Open.

What image do you have of the special role of female shopping carts on the courses in Thailand?

I really need my caddies at a golf tournament. In the United States, for example, there are no caddies and it takes me double the time to complete the course. I love to play in Thailand because we can be usefully advised by our caddies. They help me a lot on the course. This allows us to have a lot of fun in the field and not to be worried about the material.

What are the routes you prefer most in Thailand?

I particularly like playing Hua Hin with a little preference for the Black Montains course. On the other hand, the Banyan Golf Club is a course that has a hole from which you can enjoy the view of the Ocean which is very pleasant and relaxing when you play golf.
What are your ambitions for next season?

What are your ambitions for next season?

I would of course like to be number 1, but I am not obsessed with my place in the rankings every day. I'm just trying to have fun playing. This is the best way for me to progress.

Interview by David RAYNAL

Thailand, a golf paradise

With more than 260 high quality golf courses, Thailand hosts numerous international tournaments every year which attract a large number of professional players and spectators (Honda LPGA Thailand, Thailand Golf Championship…) Each club offers quality services and a welcome warm. The female caddies are particularly well trained while the green fees remain extremely reasonable. In the Land of Smiles, golf is played all year round and you can take advantage of the legendary Thai hospitality on any occasion. Discover ten exceptional courses ...

Ayodhya Links (Ayutthaya) is one of the most exclusive and prestigious “18 holes” in Asia. Designed by Peter Thomson, Ross Perrett, Mike Lobb and Pitak Intrawityanunt, this championship course entered the 2015 World Top 100 established by GOLF Magazine USA

Amata Spring Country Club (Chonburi) is also one of the most prestigious clubs in Asia and regularly tests the best players in the world. In barely ten years, this golf course has received numerous awards including being awarded "Venue of the Year" by the Asian Tour from 2011 to 2013. It hosts the Thai Golf Championship and other major international events. Hole 17 is the signature of this course designed around a lake by Lee Schmidt. Given to be one of the most remarkable holes in Asia, this PAR 3 is characterized by its green located on an island which can only be reached by boat.

The Black Mountain Golf Club (Hua Hin) offers everything one would expect from a world class golf resort. Its championship course is recognized as one of the best in Asia, and it is the only one in Thailand to have been named in Golf Digest among the top 100 courses outside the United States. Since opening in 2007, the Black Mountain has hosted three Asian Tour tournaments, including the 2014 King's Cup and the True Thailand Classic, co-hosted by the Asian Tour and the European Tour. Collecting the awards, it was voted “Best Course in Asia-Pacific” in 2014 and has held the “Best Golf Course in Thailand” award for four years.

Created in 1971 by I. Izumi, the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course (Pattaya) has hosted the Thailand Open 4 times and hosted many Asian golf tours. Since its renovation in 2007, it has been the headquarters of the LPGA in Thailand. The golf course and clubhouse received a complete renovation in 2006. Lee Schmidt, of Schmidt & Curley Design Inc., set out to redesign the Old Course while retaining the original layout and many old characteristics. Since 2010, the LPGA tournaments have been organized at the Old Course in February, testifying to the quality of the golf course, the clubhouse and the services offered by the complex.

The Royal Hua Hin Golf Course (Hua Hin) is the oldest golf course in the Kingdom but also the first at international level. Its construction began in 1919 under the reign of King Rama VI, and was completed in 1928 under the reign of King Rama VII. AO Robin, a railway engineer, participated in its design on entirely natural terrain. The original clubhouse has been preserved and is located near the current clubhouse, between holes 10 and 18.

The Gassan Khuntan Golf & Resort (Lumpoon) is one of Thailand's finest golf resorts, with a challenging 18-hole, par 72 course offering mountain views surrounded by Doi Khuntan National Park. Built around the famous railway structures characteristic of the region - the “Railway Bridge” and the “Khuntan Tunnel” - this course has a unique style.

The Mae Moh Golf Course (Lumpang) is built on a mountain that overlooks a huge lignite mine (the Mae Moh mine). Part of the course is at the top of the mountain offering a breathtaking panorama, while the rest of the greens lead to the bottom of the valley. We are therefore sometimes faced with greens on a very inclined slope, some requiring blind upward strokes and others spectacular downward strokes. Some holes are truly memorable.

The Bangpra International Golf Club (Pattaya) is one of the oldest golf courses in Thailand. It is very popular with golfers and foreign professionals because of the complexity of its layout, with the most difficult green to put down in the whole country. Hole 2, par 3, with crossing a water obstacle and hole 3, par 4, are interesting challenges among the first holes where very well-designed bunkers and dangerous water hazards combine for provide a great golf experience. Hole 7, par 5, is incredibly long (start at 568 m). This land is adorned with the beautiful scenery of Bangpra Bay, with views of the seaside village of Bangpra and the offshore Seechung Island.

The St Andrew 2000 Golf Course (Rayong) offers a course of over 7 km, par 74. With its high greens, narrow fairways and hilly terrain, it allows many exceptional shots. St. Andrews has two holes, par 6, over a distance of more than 730 m. To fully appreciate this course, golfers must have a handicap of 18 or less because the shots are particularly difficult from tee to green and require great concentration and a perfect approach.

The Rajjaphabra Dam Golf Course (Surat Thani) is located in the beautiful Khao Sok National Park. Making the most of the spectacular natural drops in the many limestone monoliths, its magnificent course perfectly illustrates the astonishing diversity and exhilarating challenges of Thailand's golf courses. In addition to being a pleasure for the eyes, it is very pleasant to play even if some holes are extremely complex.