After Lydia Ko, who became world No. 1 in 2015 at the age of 17, the young rookie Atthaya Thitikul, 19, became the second youngest player to reach this rank. She is also the second Thai at the top of the world ranking after Ariya Jutanugarn, and the second golfer to reach this place in her rookie season, equaling the record of Sung Hyun Park.
“It’s very special to get to the top, but it’s much more difficult to keep it”
It’s been a sparkling year for the young prodigy in the LPGA, which has two victories: the JTBC Classic and Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, as well as 12 top 10 including 3 in major tournaments. The player had already entered the world top 10 on March 28, she now takes the lead.
« It means a lot to my team, my family, my supporters and myself, said the Thai player. It’s such an honor to have my name at the top among the greats in women’s golf. It’s very special to get to the top, but it’s much harder to keep it. I still have a lot to learn from all the legends of the sport and current players, on and off the course. I will continue to work hard for my family, my team, my fans and my country. »
On top of the golf planet
In 2017, the player had already broken records by winning the Ladies European Thailand Championship as an amateur, making her the youngest person to win a professional golf tournament, at 14 years, four months and 19 days. A little later, in 2021, she was the youngest player to win the Ladies European Tour race on the Costa del Sol.
