Pattaya —
Taiwan’s Chien Pei-yun, ranked 113th in the world, stunned the field with a stellar 8-under-par 64 on the first day of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2024, currently held at the Siam Country Club Old Course in Pattaya.
This unexpected performance puts her two strokes ahead of the pack, including star names like Korean Kim Sei-Young and Canadian Brooke Henderson.
Chien’s impressive round included seven birdies and an eagle, showcasing her strong driving and approach shots. This is a major breakthrough for the 33-year-old who hasn’t achieved victory on the LPGA Tour yet.
While Chien leads the way, Thai golfers Patty Tavatanakit and Natthakritta Vongtaveelap are also in contention, tied for third at 5-under-par. Patty, coming off a win in Saudi Arabia last week, finished strong with birdies on the final three holes, including a hole-in-one. Natthakritta, who struggled with a knee injury last year, is excited to be back in the spotlight and playing pain-free.
Unexpectedly, the defending champion and current world No.1, Lilia Vu, find herself not among the top ranks, currently sharing the 60th place. Other big names such as Celine Boutier, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Anna Nordquist are also encountering challenges.
With Chien in the lead, the tournament promises an exciting few days ahead. Fans can follow the action live or online to see if the underdog can maintain her dominance and claim her first LPGA Tour victory.
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