Thai amateur star Atthaya Thitikul has won the Ladies European Thailand Championship for the second time in three years.
The 16-year-old finished with a five-under-par 67 on a weather-interrupted final day to win by five shots from Esther Henseleit.
Thitikul’s triumph at Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club two years ago, when aged just 14 years, made her the youngest known winner of a professional golf tournament. She backed up that success with a phenomenal performance at the same venue, posting rounds of 69, 67, 63 and 67 for a winning total of 266, 22-under-par.
At 16 years, four months and three days, the No.5 ranked amateur in the world is the youngest player to win two Ladies European Tour titles and the most exciting prospect in women’s golf since Lydia Ko, who had won four professional titles by the same age.
“It feels unreal,” said Thitikul. “I’m really pleased with all the things I’ve done in this tournament. The last time I had a bogey was in round two. I just put the ball where I wanted it. Since I won two years ago I’ve kept working hard and I’ve grown in confidence.”
German rookie Henseleit shot a final round 64, and as Thitikul is still an amateur, she collected the winner’s cheque for €45,000, moving to second on the LET order of merit. “This is my third second place this year, and although of course I would love a victory, Atthaya played so well and she deserves this trophy,” said Henseleit.