By Matt Smith
Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn will partner with Solheim Cup icon Catriona Matthew in one of the headline fourballs at this week’s Aramco Team Series – Bangkok.

The hometown hero used her captain’s pick in last night’s pre-tournament draft to recruit the Scot, an 11-time Tour champion and Major-winner and back-to-back winning Team Europe to Solheim Cup captain.

Spanish Ladies European Tour rookie Paz Marfa Sans will complete the professional side of the team, which will be completed with the addition of an amateur golfer, before play gets underway at Thai Country Club on Thursday.

“Playing in my home country is very exciting,” said Jutanugarn, who will be making her second appearance in an Aramco Team Series event.

“I wanted to pick the legend Catriona as she’ll make me feel a lot more calm — maybe I can learn from her, as well. I’m really happy with my team.

“For us, I think it’s just a case of going out, enjoying it and having fun. If we do, I’m sure we’ll be good!”

Asked if her captain for the week, the world No. 50, was a player she respected, Matthew said: “Oh, absolutely! I’ve played a lot with Moriya on the LPGA over the years. I haven’t seen her in a wee while, so I’m delighted to be playing together and being able to catch up.”

Jutanugarn was one pick earlier in the draft than her younger sister, Ariya.

Ariya also used her captain’s selection to recruit a Scot — Laura Beveridge. Anne-Charlotte Mora of France was the third addition to the team.

Asked about her captain’s pick, the two-time Major-winner said: “I’ve not known so much about Laura, but I had been looking at all the stats before picking her, so I’m pretty sure she’s going to help the team.

“Already we’re having so much fun, talking about what we’re going to eat today and where the good Thai food is! I’m pretty sure we’re going to be a good team.”

This week’s debut Bangkok leg will be the first of five $1million Aramco Team Series tournaments on the Ladies European Tour calendar for 2022 — and the first with the three-day event’s new format.

Updated from last year’s inaugural Series, the teams will now compete over only 36 holes – the Thursday and Friday of the tournament – with $500,000 prize money being split between the lowest scoring fourballs.

Saturday’s final day of play will see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another $500,000, this time in individual earnings.

Big names set to compete with the likes of the Jutanugarn sisters include fellow Thai superstar Patty Tavatanakit, who selected Finland’s Noora Komulainen as her captain’s pick — and who returns home to compete ranked as the world No. 13.

England’s Charley Hull has a blistering Aramco Team Series record, with three top 10 team finishes and a solo victory in last year’s New York event. She chose good friend and fellow English golfer Lauren Taylor as her teammate for the week’s fourball action.

Australia’s Whitney Hillier leaned on her mother’s Thai heritage to recruit Chonlada Chayanun, whose home course is this week’s host course, Thai Country Club.

The Aramco Team Series — Bangkok kicks off 2022’s run of ATS events, and will be followed by four more $1million tournaments in London, Sotogrande, New York and Jeddah.

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The post Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn teams up with Solheim Cup hero Catriona Matthew at this week’s Aramco Team Series – Bangkok appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith

The stage is set for the Aramco Team Series to return on the Ladies European Tour – and it is back bigger and better with a new starting point in Bangkok to tee off the series’ 2022 campaign.

The LET will set up camp at Thai Country Club on May 12-14 for the curtain-raiser on a momentous, game-changing campaign as the tour embarks on its most lucrative in history, with 34 events across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and as far afield as the United States and Australia.

Last season’s introduction of the Aramco Team Series (ATS) events brought four $1million prize-fund tournaments to the calendar, taking the Tour to London, Sotogrande in Spain, New York and Jeddah for three-days of team and individual competition in a new-look format.

Now, following a successful debut year, the Aramco Team Series returns for 2022, but this time with the addition of the Aramco Team Series — Bangkok, to be played in Thailand next week.

The events return with a revived format (two days of team competition, then a closing day individual-only battle), and, importantly, the opportunity for players to earn further prize money, with a share of another $1million added to the year’s kitty.

Each ATS event sees up to 36 team captains pick a teammate, then be assigned a randomly selected third teammate and an amateur golfer, who plays with a handicap. Together, they then compete over the Thursday and Friday as a fourball, with the two lowest scores per hole recorded and the lowest total score winning.

Moriya Jutanugarn

Home advantage

Former world No. 1 and two-time major winner Ariya Jutanugarn will be joined by sister Moriya, the world No. 42, to compete alongside a host of the best players on the planet in the unique competition when the action begins in Bangkok.

And they are certainly looking to make a splash in the event as it comes to their homeland — where they are already superstars in their own right.

“This will easily be my favourite week of the year,” Ariya tells Golf Digest Middle East. “It was such an easy decision to play in an event is helping change the game and make it more exciting -— and it is right here in my homeland.

To be playing, or contending, with my sister makes it even more special. Have you seen her? Wow!”

Ariya, 26, is of course referring to Moriya, her elder sister by one year and best friend. It is plain to see there is no sibling rivalry here as they simply encourage each other in everything they do and are always seen cheering on each other on the course.

“It is new to me and it will be fun,” added Moriya. “I always play as an individual, while also supporting Ariya, but this will be a team event as well, where me and my guys will all be leaning on each other.

“My mindset is always set up for an individual sport, focus on myself and come up with the goods. This will all be a little different and that is what makes it more exciting.

“I know the venue well. I have always dreamed of winning at home since I was a kid and now Aramco can help me achieve that.”

Ariya Jutanugarn

Ariya also knows what it means to win — with her sister alongside her, that is.

“We won together as a team last year and it is such fun,” she said. “We have to wait for the draft, but whomever gets Moriya in her team — she got your back.

“The fun part of this format is it allows you to do different things as part of a team that you would not normally risk on your own. Plus you get the high-fives!”

Moriya is delighted to see the LET try out new formats, and the tour ventured into yet more new territory last month with the Trust Golf mixed events, where men and women from the Asian Tour and LET competed together for the first time, chasing the same trophy and prize money.

“To do different is always fun. It grows the game to have new ideas and it shows we can mix it with the boys.”

Ariya — surprise, surprise — concurs with her sister.

“There is no secret to success in golf, you just got to be happy, and this is certainly doing that.”

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The post Sister act: Thailand’s Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn ready to shine at home on Aramco Team Series — Bangkok 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.”

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

Welcome to Dubai for the first time?
I have never ever been here before – it is one of my dream destinations I really wanted to come and look around. I was delighted when I knew I was coming here. I have the tournament of course but on Saturday and Sunday, I am planning to do as much as I can to see around the city.

Is this your first shot at night golf?
It is yes, but really I view it as another experience that I will have to learn from. I did wonder, how am I going to see the ball but I have asked players and they have told me you can see the ball fine because of the floodlights, and I also wondered about reading the greens but this is just an experience to learn from that I am looking forward to! I never played before but my sister has played a couple of times I think.

You have never played the Faldo course. Have you done any background research?
I really wanted to see the course at night as I don’t know what it would be like. But watching the videos I realised it is not so dark with all the floodlights! I do see there is a lot of water to carry this week!

Do you have any fears about water and hazards now?
Of course, I will look at the water but I will try not to think negative thoughts about it, rather I think about where I want to go, and where I want to put my shot. Sometimes I  have nerves and excitement on first hole but I have tried to learn and manage my fear so that when I am scared I am still able to hit the golf ball.

Tell us about that love-hate relationship with your driver, you don’t use the club much…
I would say a long time ago, after I had surgery on my shoulder, I struggled to hit driver so didn’t hit for a while and since 2015 I felt I don’t really need to hit driver. Some of the courses, I don’t need to hit it and I’m happy hitting 3 wood off the tee. So it is tough for me because if I bring driver I have to leave out another club and think of another game plan. But I’m hitting driver almost every day (on the range) and some time I hope I will feel comfortable on the course with it.

You work with Pia Nilsson and Lynne Marriott – the performance coaches at VISION54, what is so special about them?
I first met them in 2016, only 2-3 months before I won the tournament. They are so different, they teach me how to only focus on my game and not think about the outcome. We always want to win the tournament and play well and win, but thinking about that is not going to help you – you have to think about only what is under your control. They help me with this and for 5 years now I have been working with them.

Talk about playing and progressing with your sister Moriya, how important is it to have each other, and do you support each other’s games?
I feel so lucky to have her, we grew up together and practice together and still live together and everywhere I go to play, she is with me so I never get lonely and she is also there if I need to talk to someone – she supports me in everything.
When we young we like to talk about golf. We talked about bad shots and whatever and then after we take lessons with Pia and Lynn we stop talking about that. We only now say something good or positive. So if I talk to her I only talk about making birdies or positive things that happened during the round. We mostly talk about drama of life away from golf, and now we have a dog so now after rounds it is all about training and taking care of the dog.

You went 1015 days without a win between the 2018 Scottish Ladies and the Honda LPGA Thailand earlier this year. How did you feel during this time?
Actually, I didn’t feel a win is coming at all, and yes of course I felt down on myself. I felt I was working so hard so why wasn’t this turning into a win? I was working hard but I hadn’t had a win since 2018 and it was starting to test my patience. Golf is a sport where you start off every week as a new week. We feel different every day, so you can’t expect to play well every week. But I still have to do my very best and do my job. But you simply have to do your best even if the outcome isn’t the way you want it to be.

Your compatriot Atthaya Thitikul will also be playing this week, what can we expect from her?
You know to me she is one of the best players, she works so hard and her motivation is second to none. Her and Patty Tavatanakit (another young Thai golfer) are so inspiring to me, the way they work hard and practice and work out – all to get better at golf and be the best players they can be. This is very inspiring and they will both be great players in the future.

You are the first Thai player to win on LPGA, and first Thai to win a Major championship, is there anything in particular that you are proud of?
The Honda Classic was special – I played that event since  I was 11, and played so well in 2013 but lost to Inbee Park on the last hole, and have been wanting to win it for almost 10 years so it was very special.

Tell us about the Thai people and love you have over all these years…
All the Thai fans give me the best support I ever had, even on the bad days they believe in me and give me their support me. Winning this year, I felt I had been struggling for 2-3 years not about golf but everything going on, I almost felt like I should give up because it was so hard for me but  I kept going and doing my thing and that has proved you should never give up, keep doing your thing and working hard and one day it will work out.

The post Former world No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn cannot wait to experience The Faldo under lights…and Dubai after work appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Paisley
Most golfers can relate to the warmup Moriya Jutanugarn had Wednesday morning ahead of the first round of the Hugel Premia L.A. Open. Despite seemingly hitting the shots she wanted on the driving range at Wilshire Country Club, the 26-year-old Thai native walked off with a bad feeling, one that carried over into the start of her round. Through five holes, Jutanugarn was four over par.

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What most golfers can’t relate to was Jutanugarn’s response. She proceeded to birdie 10 of her next 13 holes to finish at six-under 66, the solo leader through the morning wave. Nelly Korda and Austin Ernst shot 67s.

Starting off the 10th tee, Jutanugarn stood on her sixth hole and asked herself if she would be proud at the end of the day. She then heard the encouragement she needed from caddie Justin Thompson to turn her round around. “He told me after I make the first birdie, all you have to do is get it back one at a time,” she said. “He kept saying that all day today.”

Jutanugarn, who won the inaugural playing of the tournament in 2018, her lone LPGA title, made the turn in even par, then played Wilshire’s first nine holes in six-under 29 on the front nine. For the day, she had only 26 putts.

The performance reinforced the recent advice she received from her coaches, Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson of Vision54. The duo connected in person with Jutanugarn for the first time in more than a year during the ANA Inspiration, where they attempted to fine-tune her process to make it simpler. “[We coached her] to be ‘nicer’ to herself in her reaction to her shots,” Marriott said on Wednesday when reached in Arizona via text.

Jutanguarn relied on that by being less outcome-oriented throughout the 10-under run. Instead, she recommitted to “making herself proud” at the end of the day.

“Well, of course, making birdies and putts is fun, but I really enjoyed myself out there … how I [was able to] control my emotions with so many things going on at the start,” Jutanugarn said.

Channelling those emotions into solid performances will be particularly important for Jutanugarn in trying to accomplish one of her goals for 2021: qualifying for the Olympics. When fellow Thai native Patty Tavatanakit won the ANA Inspiration, she jumped to 12th in the Rolex Ranking, leapfrogging Jutanugarn (currently 41st) and her younger sister Ariya (32nd). Only the top two will play in Japan.

Grabbing a second LPGA title is also something Jutanugarn would love to accomplish, an accomplishment that would be fitting if it came at Wilshire, which she considers one of her favourite courses on tour.

“Of course, I had a lot of good memories out here,” she said. “Just to come back is always great … I love this town. I like this place. … It’s just one of the golf courses that you just have to enjoy it and one of the weeks on tour I really [enjoy].”

The post After horrid start, Moriya Jutanugarn goes on a stunning heater in LA Open appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Keely Levins
Moriya Jutanugarn has been on the leaderboard so many times in the past year, it’s easy to be confused whether or not she’s actually won on the LPGA. Combine her many top-10 finishes—three runner-ups and two T-3 in the last 10 months alone—with the fact that her younger sister, Ariya, has won seven times on tour, and casual fans are likely to think Moriya has already had her breakthrough victory. But until Sunday at the HUGEL-JTBC L.A. Open, the 23-year-old from Thailand had been nothing but painfully close to a win.

With a final-round 68 at Wilshire Country Club for a 12-under 272 total, that all changed for Jutanugarn, who held off Inbee Park and Jin Young Ko by two strokes.

Jutanugarn, the 2013 LPGA rookie of the year, was steady on Sunday. She missed just four greens and made one lone bogey en route to victory in her 156th LPGA start.

When Jutanugarn talks about what it’s been like waiting for this win, she talks about staying patient and trusting in the work that she’s been doing. “I just, like, keep doing what I’m doing,” said Jutanugarn, who lost to Danielle Kang in the finals of the 2010 U.S. Women’s Amateur, “and finally it worked out pretty good.”

When Moriya finished, her mom and sister were there to wrap their arms around her in celebration. Ariya actually cried more than Moriya did.

With the win, the Jutanugarn sisters join Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam, as the only two pairs of sisters to win on the LPGA.

The post Finally, Moriya Jutanugarn breaks through to win first LPGA event appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Keely Levins
Jessica Korda didn’t have an ideal off-season. Instead of spending her time traveling, or working out, or working on her game like most LPGA players, she had to undergo jaw surgery in December, an elaborate procedure that required her nose and jaw to be broken and 27 screws placed to reset all the bones. The goal was to fix chronic, painful headaches that Korda has been trying to manage for years, but it meant being unable to pick up a club until mid-January.

Of course, you wouldn’t have known it from her play this past week at the Honda LPGA Thailand, Korda’s first start of the 2018 season. Despite feeling somewhat underprepared, and still having numbness in the face, the 24-year-old was finally headache-free and anxious to see how it might effect her on the course.

“This is the most holes I’ve played in a row since CME [Tour Championship],” Korda said. “I didn’t know how I was going to do. I was just coming in here just happy to be able to play and be able to be back out. I’ve missed it. It was hard sitting home watching everyone on TV.”

After rounds of 66-62-68-67 at Siam Country Club, which included 25 birdies and three eagles, Korda finished the week at 25 under, a tournament record that helped her win by four strokes over Lexi Thompson and Moriya Jutanugarn. This is Korda’s first win on the LPGA since 2015 at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia and the fifth of her career.

Thananuwat Srirasant

Korda was paired with Jutanugarn, who grew up in Thailand, in the final group. The crowds are always large and loud in Thailand, but those following the final group was even more intense because of Jutanugarn.

“I felt at one point I was in the trees on 9 and hit a punch out into the bunker and I felt like Tiger Woods,” Korda said. “All these crowds are coming in right behind me. I was like, This is really cool. It’s all really fun playing in front of crowds like this. I really, really enjoyed it.”

What made the win more special is that this event was the first event Korda played as a member of the LPGA Tour, back in 2011. Winning on the first course she played as a member of the tour, in front of a huge crowd, just two and a half months after surgery had Korda smiling so much after the round, she had to take a break from photos to rest her jaw.

“Coming in after surgery I didn’t know what to expect,” said Korda after the win. “I didn’t know how I was going to be received. Obviously when I look at myself I still don’t feel like I look like myself yet. That will come. I’m just very, very happy. All the hard work I was putting in in the off-season when I could has paid off rather quickly.”

Though Korda was happily surprised at how well the event went, her competition is prepared for anything when it comes to the talented 24-year-old.

“I don’t think any of us doubt how talented Jessica is,” said Lexi Thompson. “I think it shows coming out after surgery and that few-month break she had how much talent she actually has. She’s a player to always look out for.”

The post Jessica Korda caps an emotional return after jaw surgery with a victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Keely Levins
No player carries more momentum into next week’s LPGA Tour season finale than Shanshan Feng. With a closing 70 on Saturday at Blue Bay LPGA event in her native China, the 28-year-old won for the second straight week, becoming the first player to claim back-to-back titles this season on tour.

Feng’s nine-under 279 at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club were enough to hold off runner-up Moriya Jutanugarn by one shot. There was a moment of drama on the final hole, when Jutanugarn had a birdie opportunity to force the tournament to extra holes. But it lipped out. Feng then holed her par putt and hoisted the trophy.

“I was a little bit nervous, even shivering,” Feng said of that final putt. “And once that was in and I was the champion, I was so delighted.”

This is the 28-year-old’s ninth win on the LPGA Tour and third of 2017 (only I.K. Kim has as many victories this season). When the Rolex Rankings are calculated on Monday, Feng is also projected to become the No. 1 player in the world, the first Chinese golfer (male or female) to do so. Knowing the win that boosted her into the top spot came in her home country makes the accomplishment all the more special. When reporters told Feng she’d be in the No. 1 spot at the beginning of next week, she asked them if they were sure.

“I’m really, really excited and very proud of myself, and I think it’s special because I won this tournament to become World No. 1,” Feng said. “I finished first in China, so I actually claimed the world No. 1 in front of all the people at home. So I’m really happy about that, and I hope all the Chinese are going to be watching me and the Chinese can play golf. Hopefully there will be more Chinese getting on the tours and more world No. 1s coming up from China.”

Becoming the best player in the world makes what was already a good season a great one for Feng. Since the U.S. Women’s Open in July, Feng has six top-five finishes and eight top-10s in her last 10 starts.

“I just want 2017 to keep going,” said Feng said. “A never-ending 2017, that would be great.”

She’ll be taking this momentum of these two wins into the final event of the year next week, the CME Tour Championship in Naples, Fla., where there is a $1 million bonus on the line.

The post Shanshan Feng wins back-to-back, projected to become China’s first World No. 1 appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Brittany Romano
Anna Nordqvist of Sweden won the Evian Championship on the first hole of a dark and rainy playoff with American Brittany Altomare on Sunday after each posted the best rounds of the day.

They each entered the final round tied for 11th, five shots back, but their five-under-par 66s wound up wresting a share of the lead from faltering second-round leader Moriya Jutanugarn and Lydia Ko, both of whom bogeyed the 18th hole to fall to a tie for third.

It began to pour as Nordqvist and Altomare stepped on the 18th tee to begin the playoff. The green quickly puddled with rain as maintenance workers squeegeed it while Nordqvist and Altomare hit their approach shots against huge gusts of wind. Nordqvist made a five-foot bogey putt to win.

“Winning didn’t really cross my mind until I was having a great couple birdies and eagles there down the stretch,” Nordqvist said. “I didn’t get off to the best start, even though I felt like I was hitting it pretty good.”

Nordqvist clawed her way into the playoff at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, with a round that included two eagles and four birdies. The 30-year-old hasn’t played much golf this year after getting hit with a brutal bout of mononucleosis at the beginning of the season. She fought through extreme exhaustion to finish T-7 at the Ricoh Women’s British Open and went 3-0-1 at the Solheim Cup, but missed the cut last week at the Indy Women in Tech Championship.

“The last couple months have been tough,” she said. “I love competing and I love practicing, and staying in bed hasn’t been the most exciting. It’s been hard. It’s been frustrating. It’s been disappointing.”

This is Nordqvist’s second major championship—she won the McDonald’s LPGA Championship in 2009—and the eighth win in her LPGA career. She also had the near miss at last year’s U.S. Women’s Open, losing in a controversial playoff with Brittany Lang.

Altomare, who played college golf at Virginia, posted six birdies to earn her spot in extra holes. The 26-year-old only has one other top-10 finish in her career, a T-3 last month at the Cambia Portland Classic.

There hadn’t been a playoff at this tournament since it became a major in 2013. Playing sudden death was an appropriate end to an unusual week that began with rain delays that forced LPGA officials to cancel the Thursday first round, scrap all scores shot before play was halted and restart Friday, reducing the tournament to 54 holes.

At one point on the back nine of the final round, five players shared the lead. The 15th hole seemed to be the turning point for the field. Nordqvist eagled the par-5 15th to begin her path to victory.

LPGA veteran Katherine Kirk gave herself an opportunity to take the lead with a birdie on 15, but back-to-back bogeys on 16 and 17 left her eight under to earn a tie for third.

Ko got herself into the mix with an eagle on 15. She had the opportunity to retain a share of the lead with a par chip on 18, but missed. Ko, who has struggled this year, is seeing a late-season resurgence. She finished second last week at the Indy Women in Tech Championship.

“I played my heart out, and I tried my best and that’s all I can do,” Ko said. “I think playing and having a good finish last week gave me good momentum coming into this week.”

Jutanugarn, attempting to win her first LPGA tournament, started the final round leading by one. The 23-year-old climbed to 10 under before hitting her tee shot out of bounds on the 13th hole and making bogey, then suffering a lip-out birdie putt on 15. Jutanugarn took herself out of the playoff with a bogey on 18 after flying the green.

After the round, Jutanugarn was consoled by younger sister Ariya, who won her first major championship last year. Ariya did not make the cut this week.

The post Anna Nordqvist defeats Brittany Altomare on first playoff hole in Evian Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.