There’s a new No. 1 in the world of women’s golf and it is teenager Atthaya Thitikul and she’ll head this week’s field at the TOTO championship in Japan.
The return of the championship has been three years in the making. The covid pandemic wiped out the event in 2020 and 2021. Now its back for the 45th time.
The Seta Golf Course northeast of Osaka is the host and the field will have 42 players from the LPGA Tour and 36 from the Japan LPGA.
Joining the new world’s No. 1 will be Minjee Lee and Anna Nordqvist.
The spotlight has been on Thitikul this past season and she hasn’t disappointed her fans back in her home country of Thailand. Only Lydia Ko was a younger No. 1 (age 17).
“It means a lot for my team, my family, my supporters and myself. It is such an honor to have my name at the top amongst the biggest names of the game,” said Thitikul after jumping past former No. 1 Jin Young Ko.
“It is very special to get to the top but it is much harder to retain it. I still have a lot to learn from all the legends and current players both on and off the course. I will continue to work hard for my family, my team, my fans and my country,” said Thitikul, who has the attitude of a seasoned player.
After this stop in Japan, the LPGA Tour returns to the United States for the Pelican Championship (Nov. 10) and then the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship (Nov. 17) where the winner in Naples will take home a record $2 million.
John Solheim Honored By PGA Of America:
John Solheim, son of PING found Karsten Solheim, will receive the PGA Of America’s Distinguished Service Award today.
He joins names that include Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and three U.S. Presidents as recipients of the honor.
The award celebrates those “who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.”
“I’m very appreciative to receive such a prestigious honor from the PGA of America,” said Solheim. “I’ve been blessed to spend my entire career in the golf industry. It’s allowed us to continue building a family business, which is very enjoyable for me to now guide our strong third generation in their leadership positions and still allow me to do what I enjoy most, design and develop future products.”
