Ariya Jutanugarn

In recent years the growth of golf within the Asian nations has been astronomical with the rate of newcomers increasing rapidly.

This has been no more true of the woman´s game and the emergence of an abundance of Asian talent taking the LPGA and European Ladies tour by storm.

This has been no different in Thailand where the woman´s game is booming and with the arrival of Ariya Jutanugarn the growth is sure to continue in the near future.

Born in Bangkok in 1995 Jutanugarn made an impact on the LPGA by qualifying for the Honda LPGA Thailand at just 11years of age, the youngest ever participant on the tour.

Her determination and desire to improve has surely come from the unwavering support shown by her parents, who own a Pro-shop at the Rose Garden Golf Course in Bangkok and manage Ariya´s day to day needs and requirements in her busy life on tour.

Powerful and aggressive Jutanugarn enjoyed the competitiveness of golf from an early age having been introduced to the sport by her father, who she says has had the biggest influence on her game. Competing with her sister Moriya, also an LPGA player gave the sisters everything they needed to forge a career in golf.

As with any sport youngsters that are looking for a role model have certainly found a home grown superstar. Recognised as one of the longest hitters on the LPGA tour Jutanugarn, ranked 16th on the long drive charts, with an average “drive” of 267 yards, despite regularly ditching her driver for a 3 wood more controlled approach from the tees. Her seeming lack of confidence with her driver was duly hailed a success when she won without it in her bag at the Volvik Championship.

But Ariya´s rise to fame was not without struggles. The LPGA did not grant her full playing rights until she was 18 and in 2013 having won her first professional tournament she injured herself after falling whilst playing with her sister.

The injury to her shoulder required surgery and time out on the side-lines as she recuperated from the operation. Her comeback was not complete and she had to earn her tour card for 2015 season.

Determined as she is, this was merely a small set back and she was soon back to form and growing as a star of the future.

In July 2016 at the Marquees golf course at Woburn, Jutanugarn made yet more history by becoming the Ladies British Open Champion after a scintillating display of shot making and maturity beyond her years.

Jutanugarn will go down in Thai history as the first professional golfer, male or female to capture a major title which surely has to be a catalyst for more young golfers, male or female to join the ranks of the PGA or LPGA tours in the future and cementing Thailand´s reputation as an up and coming golfing nation.