The Honda LPGA Thailand, the opening event of the LPGA Tour’s Asian swing, is set to tee off on February 19th!
Last year, fans were treated to a thrilling neck-and-neck battle between Angel Yin and Akie Iwai that electrified the gallery. Expectations are high this year for even more standout performances from the Japanese contingent.
This article provides the latest breaking news, including tournament overviews, course insights, online streaming schedules, Japanese player updates, and pairings.
Tournament Overview
- Tournament Name: Honda LPGA Thailand
- Dates: February 19 (Thu) – February 22 (Sun), 2025
- Venue: Siam Country Club Old Course, Thailand
- Title Sponsor: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- Total Purse: $1.7 million (Winner’s Share: $255,000)
- Defending Champion: Angel Yin
Course Profile
Located in Pattaya, the Siam Country Club Old Course is one of Thailand’s most historic and prestigious golf destinations. For LPGA fans, it is a familiar stage where stars like Ai Miyazato and Akie Iwai have delivered memorable performances.
1. History and Design
This course is a true pioneer in the history of Thai golf.
- Established: Opened in 1971 as Thailand’s first privately owned golf course.
- Architect: Designed by Ikkai Izumi, a brilliant graduate of the University of Tokyo’s landscape architecture department and a protégé of the legendary Seiichi Inoue.
- Major Renovation: Completely overhauled in 2007 by Schmidt-Curley Design. While preserving the original layout, they upgraded the course to modern championship standards by strategically placing 101 bunkers and enhancing green undulations.
2. Course Characteristics
The course is a classic “parkland-style” layout.
- Scenery: Ancient, towering trees separate the holes, creating a picturesque, painting-like landscape.
- Difficulty: While water hazards are relatively few, the course is defined by its numerous bunkers and treacherous greens. The greens are famously “potato-chip” shaped with severe undulations, demanding precise iron play and masterful putting.
- Conditioning: Boasting top-tier maintenance within Thailand, the course is always kept in peak tournament condition.
3. Signature Holes
The back nine is where the real drama unfolds.
- 9th Hole (Par 4): An uphill par 4 playing toward the clubhouse. The severe slope of the green makes it a “baptism by fire” at Siam; if you don’t attack from the front, a high score is almost guaranteed.
- 15th–17th Holes: Known as Thailand’s “Amen Corner.” This stretch includes a long par 3 (the 16th) and intricate bunker placements that can easily derail a scorecard.
- 18th Hole (Par 5): The crown jewel. This uphill dogleg-right par 5 leads back to the clubhouse. A large golden Buddha statue sits behind the green, providing a sacred and uniquely Thai atmosphere for the finish. It is a dramatic closing hole that has witnessed many come-from-behind victories in LPGA history.
Japanese Players
The following 12 Japanese players are scheduled to compete:
- Yuka Saso
- Yuri Yoshida
- Miyuu Yamashita
- Rio Takeda
- Nasa Hataoka
- Akie Iwai
- Chisato Iwai
- Minami Katsu
- Ayaka Furue
- Saki Baba
- Suzu Yoshida
- Narika Miyata
- Additionally, Erika Hara, Yuna Nishimura, and Hinako Shibuno are currently on the waiting list (alternate list) and awaiting entry.
First day combi
First day conbination of Japanese player is as follows.
| 07:50 | out | C.Poeter W.L.Hsu Y.Yoshida |
| 07:57 | in | Y.Ina I.Jinhae S.Yoshida |
| 08:09 | in | L.Dincan M.Katsu M.Khang |
| 08:38 | out | K.Davidson Y.Saso A.Lee |
| 08:45 08:57 | on in | S.Baba S.Kyriacou A.Furue N.Miyata S.Kim J.L.Ramires |
| 09:02 | out | N.Hataoka Y.Noh H.Green |
| 09:14 | out | M.Yamashita L.Woad H.J.Kim |
| 09:26 | out | C.Wannasaen G.Kim C.Iwai |
| 09:45 10:02 | in out | R.Takeda G.Lopez L.Maguire J.Thitikul A.Yin A.Iwai |
Japanese Player’s Final Ranking
Final ranking of Japanese players are as follows.
| 2 | Chisato Iwai | -23 |
| 18T | Mimu Yamashita | -13 |
| Nasa Hataoka | ||
| 24T | Ayaka Furue | -12 |
| Yuri Yoshida | ||
| 31 | Rio Takeda | -11 |
| 35T | Minami Katsu | -9 |
| 48T | Akie Iwai | -5 |
| 53T | Saki Baba | -2 |
| 61 | Suzu Yoshida | +3 |
| 63T | Yuka Sasou | +5 |
| 65T | Naruka Miyata | +6 |
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