Céline Boutier's good start on the Honda LPGA Thailand this Thursday, building on her 15th place in Singapore, with a card of 68 (-4). La Parisienne is 14th, 4 strokes behind the leader. Three Thai women are in the lead, including the recent ANA Inspiration winner Patty Tavatanakit and her compatriot Atthaya Thitikul with a brilliant 64 (-8). Ariya Jutanugarn is behind at 1 stroke 65 (-7), as is Dane Nanna Koerstz.

Honda LPGA Thailand: Tavatanakit and Thitikul in the lead, Boutier 14th

Céline Boutier - © Alexis Orloff

Solid in all areas of the game, Céline Boutier was particularly successful (with only 27 putts this Thursday), which did not fail to delight her: “I had a lot of trouble putting in putts between the end of last year and the start of this year, when the rest of my game was not that bad. But the last week has been important, because I finally managed to bring down a few. It must be said that the greens were rolling perfectly! So I really hope I can keep this good putting until the end of the week and even longer in the season. "
(source ffgolf)

Thailand demonstrated excellence at Honda LPGA Thailand, where two of the country's brightest stars took the lead after day one at Siam Country Club. Champion Patty Tavatanakit, returning to Chonburi for the first time since her victory at ANA Inspiration in 2021, and 18-year-old Atthaya Thitikul recorded scores of 64 below par and have a advance suddenly at the start of the second round.

Tavatanakit's 64 is his second lowest score out of 18 holes on the circuit. After a runner-up at the HSBC Women's World Championship last week, the 21-year-old said her momentum started when she birdied the first hole and putt in from outside the green on n ° 3.

"The greens readings for the day were very good, with this putt in at the right speed" . said Tavatanakit. “I wasn't expecting that at all because I haven't really had the chance to practice putting as the greens are very steep here. I feel like I have assessed the situation well and I am satisfied with my course today. "

Tavatanakit made seven more birdies during the day, and despite a bogey at No.6, she said she was happy with her game on the Pattaya Old Course. Tavatanakit, who currently ranks fourth on the circuit in drive distance with an average of 260m, said her distance was an advantage for her on a course that was softened by rain the night before.

Thitikul, who is making his third appearance at the Honda LPGA of Thailand, kicks off his first professional appearance, with two eagles on 10 and 18, which allowed him to record his best 18-hole result on the circuit. Thitikul said she had never done two eagles in the same lap before and was surprised at the quality of her chip on Thursday.

"Number 10 was like… for the 18th, I never imagined it was going to come in, but I played it as easily as possible", Thitikul said. “Since I'm not a good chipper, I was surprised how good this one was. "

Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who joins the leaders in the final group on Friday, is tied for third place at -7 with fellow Thai star Ariya Jutanugarn. Koerstz Madsen completed one of six bogey-less laps recorded at Chonburi on Thursday, and said her goal was to stay positive in the stifling conditions she has adapted to since joining Sentosa Golf Club.

“Tuesday, the first day we got to Singapore, I was… I couldn't do it. It was so hot. But you get used to it and adapt to the weather. So I am definitely better prepared this week ” Koerstz Madsen said. “I really try to stay positive because it's really hot in here. I'm not used to this, and last week I had a little shock from the heat. So I'm just trying to stay really positive and stay as energetic as possible. "

Caroline Masson and major champions Hannah Green and Lydia Ko are sixth at -6, while six players are tied for eighth at -5, including LPGA Tour winners Carlota Ciganda and Brittany Lincicome.

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