BANGKOK (AFP) — Thai teenager Pornanong Phatlum will be aiming to become only the second female player to make the halfway cut on the Asian Tour when she competes in the Bangkok Airways Open this week.
The 18-year-old is determined to follow in the footsteps of American prodigy Michelle Wie who was the first to play in all four rounds at the SK Telecom Open in South Korea in 2006.
"I am very excited and happy as I am the only female player invited for the Bangkok Airways Open," said Pornanong, currently the Asian ladies number one.
"I have been practising from the men's tee in preparation for this tournament.
"I've played at the Santiburi Samui course previously and found it to be quite a challenge, so I hope to be more prepared this time around."
Pornanong has shown her star qualities by winning the Ladies Thailand Open and Indian Open in April.
In Samui, she will face the likes of defending champion Lee Sung of Korea, former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Taiwanese veteran Lu Wen-teh and former US PGA Tour player Scott Hend of Australia.
Pornanong first came to prominence when she won the 2005 Ladies Hong Kong Open at the age of 15 while she was still an amateur.
A year later, she turned professional and dominated the Ladies tour in the region, claiming the number spots on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour, the Orient Tour China and the Taiwan Ladies Tour.
She has competed on numerous occasions against the men on the local circuit. Most notable was her appearance at the 2006 Singha Masters Chiangrai where she finished third, although she had played from the ladies' tees.
But Pornanong realises the tough task facing her at the challenging Santiburi Samui Country Club.
"The golf course is difficult as it is quite long for me. I have to be really solid off the tee if I wish to give myself an opportunity on the greens," she said.
"Making the cut would be a great achievement."
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