Menendez and Thai teenager Atthaya set for a shoot-out
Ana Menendez of Mexico matched Thai teenager Atthaya Thitikul with a 70 yesterday and head into the final round of the 300,000-euro Ladies European Thailand Championship with one-shot advantage at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club.
Atthaya is now vying to become the youngest player on the LET if she wins on Sunday. Lydia Ko of New Zealand is currently the record holder after she won the 2013 ISPS Handa New Zealand's Women Open at 15 years, 9 months and 17 days.
After an awkward start with two bogeys in four holes, Menendez got into the groove by firing four birdies, including back-to-back on holes 17 and 18, for 6-under-par 210.
“I was feeling a little nervous when we teed off. I was shaking a little on the greens. But as the round went on I calmed down,” said the 25-year-old, who will go as the leader for the first time on the LET.
“It’s been a good year for me. I’m going to relax and have a good dinner with my friends. I know how to handle the lead and will go into the final round with a good attitude,” said Menendez, who never finished inside the top 20 on the LET before.
The Mexico City resident admitted she was impressed by the game of 14-year-old Atthaya, who will be playing alongside her in the final round. Truesport HD 3 will broadcast the proceedings live from 1pm.
“She’s definitely not playing like a 14-year-old. She is playing like one of the pros. She is going to be a superstar,” Menendez said.
Atthaya, the youngest in the field at 14 years and 4 months, traded two birdies with two bogeys, emulated the Mexican by making two finishing birdie putts to settle for a 70 to sit at 5 under-par 211.
“I’m able to cope with the excitement and pressure,” said Atthaya, a student of Sarasas Witaed Nakhonpathom School, who won a tournament in Taiwan a fortnight ago.
Despite the rising expectations, Atthaya insisted she was not tense and was more focused on acquiring experience by rubbing shoulders with the pros.
“After three days, I’ve learned so much. This course has narrow fairways and the ball doesn’t roll. So I learned how these pros get themselves out of the tough situation such as from the roughs and how to hit the ball on the greens like them. It’s very useful for my short game. It’s been my goal from the beginning to come here and learn. There’s no pressure as I didn’t expect to come here and win,” said Atthaya.
The girl from Ratchaburi also has no plan to obtain a tour card even if she wins today. Turning professional is not on her agenda at least for the next few years.
“Even if I win, there is no guarantee I will have a successful career or gain a card on the LPGA in the future. I’m just 14 and need to learn more,” she said.
The 2014 LET rookie of the year, Amy Boulden of Wales, shot the tournament’s lowest round of 67 to take the joint third position at 214 along with Thailand’s Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro (70) and Swede Frida Spang Gustafsson (71).
“The goal today was to give myself as many birdies as I could and give myself a chance going into tomorrow. This is my first time in Thailand so I’m really enjoying it. The people are lovely and I have a local caddie who is great on the bag,” Boulden said.
