It was something out of a slapstick ‘Carry On’ flick, and after seeing it, we’re not sure which was funnier on Saturday: the hilarious way Ladies European Tour star Chloe Williams flipped backward over a sign, or her reaction upon seeing replays of it. Call it a dead heat, because Chloe was a great sport about it.

The setup: Wales star Williams was lining up her tee shot on the par-3 sixth in the LET’s Aramco Team Series — Bangkok, and in the background were on-course billboards advertising the Saudi Arabian destination of Diriyah. The red sand and colours are right behind her and there was a small piece of wooden ‘rock’ behind the tee that gave the ads a 3D quality. As Williams backed up to visualise her shot, the facade clipped her at the knees, and she tumbled backwards, her legs flying up in the air.

Final day fail for @ChloeWills95 ??#RaiseOurGame | #BringTheEnergy pic.twitter.com/NnADMIi2lU

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) May 14, 2022

The LET players are so accessible that an on-course reporter caught up to Williams later in the round — while she was still competing — to share the video with her. Williams got quite the kick out of it.

“I’m sorry, I’ve only just seen this,” Williams said as she watched the video on the reporter’s phone “Honestly, it’s just brilliant. I’m just glad I could contribute some fun for the group.”

The hardest part, Williams confessed, was that she still had the shot to hit while her partners were in hysterics. She smoothed a nice iron on to the green and made par. “I said to the girls, that was one of my best pars in history,” Williams said, still laughing.

In the 54-hole tournament, Williams closed with a 76 and tied for 52nd. The winner was Belgium’s Manon De Roey, who shot 66 to overtake overnight leader Patty Tavatanakit.

The post Watch: ‘One of the best pars in history’ — LET pro Chloe Williams takes a tumble at Aramco Team Series, and her reaction is worth a prize appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Manon De Roey was the solo star in the inaugural Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series — Bangkok, holding off Thailand’s home hope Patty Tavatanakit for her first ever career title.

A bogey-free six-under-par closing round at Thai Country Club was enough to overhaul world No. 13 Tavatanakit, who led by two after the second round. But the 2021 ANA Inspiration champion struggled to a final day one-over 73, and playing partner De Roey flourished, finding six birdies as she romped to a three-shot victory and her maiden Tour title.

“It feels great,” said De Roey – the first Belgian to win an LET title in 25 years. “I was waiting for this for a long time so I’m very happy.

“It was actually a really good day. I started quite strongly. I was hitting it quite close, made birdie on the second. I just stayed patient and I dropped in some good putts.

“I’ve been working hard on my game, just trying to stay patient for the win. I was really hoping for this last year, so I’m really happy I got it now this year.”

The 30-year-old added: “I have a pretty good record in the Aramco Team Series events – I’ve picked good teams. But I love it. The first few days I really played for the team. They really pushed to make a lot of birdies. Yeah, super happy. I mean, it’s been a long time for me. I fought really hard and I’m happy I came through.”

Played over three days, this was the first $1 million Aramco Team Series tournament to run under 2022’s new format, in which its $500,000 prize-fund team element – where three LET professionals team up with an amateur golfer – is battled out over only 36 holes.

That title was claimed a day earlier by Team Hillier: Australian Whitney Hillier, Krista Bakker of Finland, Thailand’s Chonlada Chayanun, and Bangkok businessman Pattanan Amatanon.

Now up to five events per season, the Aramco Team Series next heads to the UK for the Aramco Team Series – London, which will take place at Centurion Club in St Albans, June 16-18.

The post Aramco Team Series — Bangkok: Belgian Manon De Roey  denies home hope  Patty Tavatanakit for first Ladies European Tour title appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Patty Tavatanakit held on to her individual lead as Team Hillier triumphed at the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok on Friday.

The innovative Ladies European Tour tournament runs a three-day individual strokeplay competition alongside the two-round, four-player team event and it was Whitney Hillier and her crew that came out on top to lift the team trophy at Thai Country Club.

Hillier, Chonlada Chayanun, Krista Bakker and amateur Pattanan Amatanon backed up their excellent first round to seal a three-stroke victory with a 15-under-par final round.

It was a first LET title for Hillier and Chayanun, while it is back-to-back victories for Bakker, who was part of Team Pedersen in Jeddah last November.

Captain Hillier said: “I’m so proud of my team. Even from the start of yesterday morning we just had a good vibe. Everything just flowed and obviously we played great golf, but we had a lot of the fun, so that was the most important thing too. This is my 10th year on tour, and for my first win to be in a team event, like that’s pretty cool. I’m just looking forward to tomorrow too, now.”

Bakker added: “It’s great to be here winning again. We had so much fun and as Whitney said, yesterday we started to play good right away and making birdies.”

It was a fantastic day for Chayanun, whose home club is Thai Country Club, in the Individual competition as she carded a 67 (-5) to help her team and climb up the individual leaderboard.

“I’m just happy,” she said. “I never thought about winning and we did it as a team, so I’m really happy. I’m so proud of my team. Everything was perfect today. I made so many pars and had like eight birdies, so that’s the secret. I got so much good energy from my team. They are really supportive, so that just made me keep going.”

Team Simmermacher led by Magdalena Simmermacher alongside Charlotte Liautier, Isabella Deilert and amateur Sirapob Yapala, finished in second place on 28-under, while Team Tavatanakit were third with a total of -26 and one shot further back in a tie for fourth place were Team Moriya Jutanugarn and Team Lampert.

Patty Tavatanakit. Aramco

In the individual competition, which concludes on Saturday, Tavatanakit signed for a three-under 69 to improve to nine-under.

The Major winner (she claimed the 2021 ANA Inspiration) rolled in birdies on seven and nine before dropping a shot on the 12th, but the Thai star rolled in back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18 to hold a two-shot lead heading into the final day.

“It was pretty good,” said Tavatanakit. “Walking off the course without my A game and being on top of leaderboard is always a nice feeling. If anything, just seeing a little bit of confidence that I left a lot out there and a lot of things could be improved tomorrow. I didn’t really have the right flow today, but I stayed patient and a couple putts dropped at the end so that helped a lot.”

England’s Felicity Johnson and Belgium’s Manon De Roey sit two shots off the lead on seven-under having fired rounds of 68 and 67, respectively.

“I played nicely and played really steady, I’m happy with my rounds from today and yesterday,” said Johnson. “I hit a lot of fairways and greens.

“Myself and my caddie did a lot of good work at the start of the week of where we’re trying to hit approach shots and to figure out the grain as the ball is making its way to the hole on the greens.”

De Roey added: “I feel great, I was just playing for the team today and trying to make as many birdies as possible. Last week I wasn’t playing my best golf, but I was able to make a lot of birdies and that built my confidence for this week, and I feel a bit more comfortable.”

? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?@Beany25 equalled the course record with a stunning 6⃣6⃣ (-6) to move into contention in Thailand ??#RaiseOurGame | #BringTheEnergy pic.twitter.com/AXIISiINpT

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) May 13, 2022

Two-time Major winner Ariya Jutanugarn is on six-under alongside Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson with five players in a tie for sixth place on five-under including Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, who fired the best round of the day with a 66.

“I haven’t been playing much or practicing so didn’t quite know what to expect,” said the two-time winning Solheim Cup captain.

“I played well today, and I putted well. Kind of every little thing everything went for me. I’m disappointed in my finish. As a golfer you’re never too thrilled, but overall delighted.

“I picked out a new putter just before I came here and that’s been working so well. My caddie reads the greens great, so I just leave it to her, and she just points, and I try and hit it where she says.”

You might also like:
Rookie Onishi moves to front at Asian Pacific
Dubai golfer Amelia McKee going pro
eGolf changing the game in the UAE
New twist in LIV Golf tale
Sensational finish at Dubai Golf Trophy
Sergio Garcia ‘can’t wait to quit PGA Tour’
Westwood and ‘many more’ request release to play LIV Golf Invitational Series
Look: Phil Mickelson spotted on golf course
Tiger Woods plays Southern Hills ahead of PGA Championship
LIV Golf Invitational Series continues to take shape
Trump to host LIV finale

The post Aramco Team Series — Bangkok: Team Hillier triumph as Patty Tavatanakit holds lead for final individual round appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The world No. 13 made the most of home advantage to finish one above Spanish starlet Ana Pelaez going into Friday’s second round.

Team Hillier, captained by Australia’s Whitney Hillier and featuring Chonlada Chayanun — playing her home course — Krista Bakker of Finland, and amateur Pattanan Amatanon lead at the halfway point in the tournament’s fourball format, after carding a day’s low of 16-under.

“It was really fun,” said Tavatanakit, the 2021 LPGA Rookie of the Year. “I kept my round going well. The team format is a little different. Being able to play with everyone at the same time and make birdies, cheering them on, it’s a really good feeling.

“It’s a format that relaxes you. I was really calm today and I felt like mistakes were fine, because I had other people there [to support] as well.”

The Aramco Team Series — Bangkok

Instead of opting for the player hotel, Tavatanakit is staying with her family in Bangkok this week — and has a friend from home, Dan, on her bag.

Asked if being one of the hometown heroes brought with it an extra level of playing pressure, the 22-year-old added: “I want to do well everywhere I play. I treat every week just like a normal event regardless of where I am, so I’m just here to play another tournament.

“Today, I read the greens really well. I was surprised actually that I didn’t really get more right reads or right breaks on the practice rounds, but today I think I was a little bit more focused and Dan really helped me.”

Breakout Spanish star Pelaez sits one back after a quite remarkable opening day bogey-free 67.

The 24-year-old only arrived in the Thai capital on Tuesday night after securing a late entry to the $1 million event following her shock six-stroke victory at the Madrid Ladies Open.

With storms delaying her Wednesday’s afternoon practice, Pelaez — who drove for five hours, then took three flights over 24 hours to reach Bangkok — arrived at Thai Country Club in the morning.

She used Google Earth to learn about the course, before going out for a birdie-birdie-birdie finish in here five-under.

“Honestly, I’m actually speechless,” said Pelaez. “I had a great round. I had a lot of fun. I had to be patient because I started par, par, par, birdie, par, birdie — then I didn’t get another birdie until hole 16. And then I finished with three in a row, so I’m extremely happy. A boost of confidence for tomorrow actually.

“I’m just happy we were able to get everything in place and that I’m here. I cannot believe I’m actually awake after traveling so much and all the emotions. I should be wasted, but I’m good.”

Team Hillier hold their own one-shot advantage going into what will be the closing day of the Aramco Team Series — Bangkok’s $500,000 team competition.

Their 16-under total was enough to give them a slender advantage heading into Friday’s deciding final round.

“We just made birdies early,” said Australian Whitney, who is half-Thai. “We had a good vibe and everyone was gelling pretty well – everyone was laughing and happy. So, yeah, good team. We played well.”

Team Magdalena Simmermacher (Charlotte Liautier, Isabella Deilert and amateur Sirapob Yapala) sit on 15-under, one ahead of the teams captained by Scotland’s Kylie Henry and Patty Tavatanakit.

You might also like:
Dubai golfer Amelia McKee going pro
eGolf changing the game in the UAE
New twist in LIV Golf tale
Sensational finish at Dubai Golf Trophy
Sergio Garcia ‘can’t wait to quit PGA Tour’
Westwood and ‘many more’ request release to play LIV Golf Invitational Series
Look: Phil Mickelson spotted on golf course
Tiger Woods plays Southern Hills ahead of PGA Championship
LIV Golf Invitational Series continues to take shape
Trump to host LIV finale

The post Hometown hero Patty Tavatanakit top after Day 1 of the Aramco Team Series — Bangkok as Team Hillier lead fourballs appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By GolfDigestME.com

The Aramco Team Series has announced an initiative to support promising amateur female golfers across the globe, in their journey to become future stars of the game.

The Aramco Power Up initiative will the see the series title sponsor provide extra support, resources as well as an exclusive invitation to play as the amateur in the team section of tournaments, alongside the best players in the world.

Ahead of the season-opening Aramco Team Series — Bangkok, 17-year-old Pimpisa Sisutham was chosen as the first Aramco Power Up recipient. During tournament week the talented Bangkok teenager, who is part of Thailand’s junior golf programmes, received a custom club fitting from Titleist and has been granted access to Thai Country Club and its world class facilities for a year. Pimpisa is teaming up with South African Nicole Garcia, Germany’s Sophie Witt and Spain’s Marta Martin at the Bangkok event.

Aramco Power Up winner Pimpisa alongside Chavalit Surangsee, Director of Golf at Thai Country Club. Aramco

“It’s amazing to be the first ever Aramco Power Up recipient, which came as a total surprise! I never expected to get an opportunity to play with the best players on the LET at this stage of my career,” Sisutham said. “It’s been nerve racking but it’s giving me valuable experiences for my career and following in the footsteps of my hero Lydia Ko.”

Aramco’s support of Ladies European Tour events has seen them become the biggest backer of women’s golf – using it’s platform to promote global female empowerment.

Talal Al Merri, General Manager of Public Affairs at Aramco, said: “We are thrilled to support Pimpsia as she chases her dream of competing as a professional golfer. To be able to offer her this illustrates our efforts to support women’s golf — globally and at every level. The goal of each Aramco Team Series event is to elevate women’s golf across the board and the opportunities we can create, on and off the course, that we believe will further progress the women’s game.”

The Aramco Team Series — Bangkok kicks off 2022’s run of tournaments this week at the Thai Country Club, before the ATS heads to London (June 16-18), Sotogrande (August 18-20), New York (October 13-15) and finally Jeddah on November 9-11.

You might also like:
Dubai golfer Amelia McKee going pro
eGolf changing the game in the UAE
New twist in LIV Golf tale
Sensational finish at Dubai Golf Trophy
Sergio Garcia ‘can’t wait to quit PGA Tour’
Westwood and ‘many more’ request release to play LIV Golf Invitational Series
Look: Phil Mickelson spotted on golf course
Tiger Woods plays Southern Hills ahead of PGA Championship
LIV Golf Invitational Series continues to take shape
Trump to host LIV finale

The post Aramco looks to the future with ‘Power Up’ initiative to support next generation of female golf stars on the Aramco Team Series appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Chiara Noja, Dubai’s latest professional golfer, is ready to rack up the air miles as she has confirmed she will be playing in all five legs of the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour this season.

German 16-year-old Chiara, who now calls Dubai home, turned professional following last year’s Dubai Moonlight Classic and has impressed over the past few months, including finishing T-13 at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in March.

I’m delighted to announce that I will be playing the @Aramco_Series part of the @LETgolf in Bangkok on May 12-14, London on June 16-18, Sotogrande on August 18-20, New York on October 13-15 and Jeddah on November 9-11. Thank you so much to all my supporters pic.twitter.com/vf0pDxL7z7

— Chiara Noja (@thechiaranoja) April 10, 2022

Now she is ready to mix it with the world’s best again, beginning on May 12-14 when the inaugural Aramco Team Series – Bangkok takes place before events in London (June 16-18), Sotogrande (August 18-20) and New York (October 13-15) before the finale in Jeddah on November 9-11.

“This is such an amazing opportunity and I have an exciting few months ahead,” Chiara told Gold Digest Middle East. “I am really looking forward to teeing it up! Lots of new countries and new memories await.”

Other stars confirmed for the $1 million Aramco event in Bangkok include local hopes world No. 14 Patty Tavatanakit, former world No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn and her sister and world No. 42 Moriya Jutanugarn.

The Aramco Team Series has been expanded to five events this season after last year’s successful debut, with Bangkok having the honour of hosting the opening event, where four-player teams compete for the title while the golfers also fight it out for individual honours. Using a draft system, each team captain picks their first player, before being randomly allocated a third professional and an amateur.

This season will also see a revised format for the event with the team event taking place over the first two days, with the third round for individuals making the cut in a last-day shootout.

MORE
Thai stars sign up for Aramco Team Series — Bangkok
Saudi golf continues to thrive
Asian Tour breaking new ground with Trust Golf events
Chantananuwat clings on to lead at Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup
Thai teen Ratchanon Chantananuwat’s learning curve at Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup
Tiger confirms he will play Open at St Andrews
Scottie Scheffler continues the ride of his life

The post Exclusive: Dubai’s rising star Chiara Noja shifts gear with Aramco Team Series events — with Bangkok up first appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

World No. 14 Patty Tavatanakit is ready to show why she is one of the hottest properties on the Ladies European Tour when she makes her Aramco Team Series debut next month.

Th 22-year-old shot to prominence over the past 12 months thanks to claiming a stunning victory in the 2021 ANA Inspiration, plus multiple other top 10 performances, including at two more majors — the PGA Championship and British Open.

Ariya Jutanugarn

She will be joined by former world No. 1 and two-time major winner Ariya Jutanugarn and her sister and world No. 42 Moriya, helping boost local interest in the $1 million Aramco event.

The Aramco Team Series has been expanded to five events this season after last year’s successful debut, with Bangkok having the honour of hosting the opening event, where four-player teams compete for the title while the golfers also fight it out for individual honours. Using a draft system, each team captain picks their first player, before being randomly allocated a third professional and an amateur.

This season will also see a revised format for the event with the team event taking place over the first two days, with the third round for individuals making the cut in a last-day shootout.

“It’s amazing to see global tournaments like the Aramco Team Series come to my hometown of Bangkok,” Tavatanakit said. “The ATS tournaments are providing really cool opportunities for players all over the world and the new wave of female talent in Thailand to get chances on the LET and impress in front of the world. There’s a real buzz for women’s golf in Thailand after some of our performances on the international stage so it’s a great chance to keep that momentum.”

Following the curtain-raiser in Bangkok, the Aramco Team Series jets off around the world, and golf’s first team event series on any professional tour will head to London (Centurion Club, June 16-18), Sotogrande (La Reserva Club De Sotogrande, August 18-20), New York (Venue TBC, October 13-15), and Jeddah (Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, November 9-11).

Moriya Jutanugarn

“I’ve heard really positive things about the Aramco Team Series with a fresh format and the chance to play and connect with different players on the LET,” Ariya Jutanugarn said. “It gives players a lot more to play for during a tournament week both as a team and as an individual. I’ve enjoyed success before in team formats alongside my sister Moriya – so I’m looking forward to seeing who I get to team up with in the draft and a chance to host them on home soil in Thailand.”

Majed Al Sorour, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation added: “The Aramco Team Series is bigger and better this year and it’s exciting to expand to Asia and one of golf’s fastest growing markets in Thailand. It’s a hotbed of talent with players now getting more opportunities to mix it with the LET’s very best players in different formats with global exposure. It’s a chance to showcase the growth of women’s sport, superstar names and the next generation — all from a perfect venue in Bangkok to kick off the new ATS season.”

MORE
Saudi golf continues to thrive
Asian Tour breaking new ground with Trust Golf events
Chantananuwat clings on to lead at Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup
Thai teen Ratchanon Chantananuwat’s learning curve at Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup
Tiger confirms he will play Open at St Andrews
Scottie Scheffler continues the ride of his life

The post Thai stars Tavatanakit and Jutanugarn sisters ready for home debut at Aramco Team Series — Bangkok appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.