Pattaya: The cheers of applause erupted early in the morning as world-class golfers confidently competed. The sound of golf balls hitting the clubs echoed amidst the throngs of fans filling the tee-off area. This vibrant atmosphere is about to return to Siam Country Club Old Course, Pattaya, Chonburi province, as the Honda LPGA Thailand 2026 officially begins from February 19-22.
According to Thai News Agency, for golf fans, this is just one of many annual tournaments, but a week where dreams, hopes, and cheers from across Asia and the world converge on every hole and every shot. The pre-tournament atmosphere this year is particularly intense, as several key factors have converged: the impressive form of rising Asian golfers, the continued growth of women’s golf globally, and the significant expansion of the Honda LPGA Thailand from a regional level to an increasingly popular international golf platform.
Among the most watched athletes by Thai sports fans today is Gino – Atthaya Thitikul, the 22-year-old go
lfer who currently holds the world number one ranking. Her outstanding performance in the 2025 season saw her win three LPGA Tour titles, along with the Rolex Player of the Year and Vare Trophy, achieving an average score of 68.68 – the lowest in LPGA Tour history, breaking the previous record held by Swedish golf legend Annika Sörenstam. Since fully entering the tour, Gino has consistently maintained a high standard, finishing in the top 10 and accumulating over $17 million in prize money. Within just four years, Gino – Atthaya Thitikul has achieved outstanding results, finishing as runner-up in the 2021 Honda LPGA Thailand, while May – Ariya Jutanugarn won the same tournament in 2021, and Patty – Papangkorn Dhavattanagij will win the championship in 2024. All three golfers have represented Thailand at the Olympic Games. Atthaya and Papangkorn competed in the Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) and Paris 2024 Olympics, while Ariya has competed in two Olympics: Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Their achievements are therefore
not merely symbols of individual success, but reflect the power and quality of Thai women’s golf, which has become a key force on world-class tours. This return to competition at home is therefore being closely watched as a significant moment in Asian women’s golf.
Looking at the Asian continent as a whole, Japan is another country that is clearly signaling its strength. Japanese golfers won seven tournaments in the 2025 season, led by Miyu Yamashita, winner of the AIG Women’s Open and Maybank Championship, as well as the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award. Rio Takeda, winner of the Blue Bay LPGA, and Mao Saiko, winner of the Chevron Championship, both reflect the quality of young golfers ready to become key players in major tournaments. In addition, the twin sisters Akie and Chizzi Iwai added excitement by winning the Portland Classic and the Rivera Maya Open, becoming the first twin sisters to win on the LPGA Tour. Akie also started the season by finishing as runner-up at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2
025. These successes reinforce Japan’s image as a major force in the Asian golf scene. The current LPGA Tour features 18 golfers in the top 100 of the world rankings, and interestingly, the average age of all six champions this season is only 23.6 years old. This has led to a highly competitive rivalry between Thai and Japanese golfers, closely followed by golf fans across Asia.
In Thailand, women’s golf has consistently remained at the forefront of the world stage for over a decade. From the emergence of pioneering golfers to the rise of a new generation of players, seven Thai golfers have collectively won 30 LPGA titles, with five Thai players ranked in the top 100 in the world. This success reflects the potential of the athletes themselves, coupled with support from both the government and private sectors, and a competition structure that provides opportunities for golfers to systematically develop their skills from the outset. In particular, the National Qualifiers serve as the first step for young Thai
and amateur golfers to gain professional experience before progressing towards international competition.
Furthermore, several rising young golfers have achieved outstanding results on the LPGA Tour. These include 24-year-old Yelim Noh from the United States, who won the Founders Cup; 21-year-old Lottie Hoad from England, who recently turned pro and won the Women’s Scottish Open, her first professional title; 26-year-old Chinese golfer Miranda Wang, who won the FM Championship, her first LPGA Tour victory; 26-year-old Maya Stark from Sweden, who won the US Women’s Open major; and 24-year-old Grace Kim from Australia, who won the Evian Championship major.
The overall picture of women’s golf in recent years reflects significant growth, both in terms of competition and fan base. The LPGA Tour’s total prize money has increased by more than 43% in four years, reaching over US$100 million. Similarly, the Honda LPGA Thailand will see increased prize money for the 2026 tournament. At the same time, the number of ne
w golfers worldwide has increased by more than 10 million since 2016, with women and younger generations being the fastest-growing groups. Live broadcast viewership and engagement on digital platforms have also expanded significantly, particularly in Asia, which has become one of the fastest-growing women’s golf markets. As a result, women’s golf today is not just a competitive sport but has become an integral part of lifestyle and an inspiration for the younger generation.
Amidst these changes, the Honda LPGA Thailand continues to stand as the only LPGA Tour event in Thailand and is one of the tournaments praised by golfers and sports fans alike for its exceptional atmosphere. Siam Country Club not only boasts a championship-level course design but also creates memorable moments every year, from the nail-biting championship rounds to the final hole, iconic highlight shots, and the stories of Asian and Thai golfers rising to prominence in front of home fans. Notably, Lilia Wu from the United States won her f
irst LPGA title here before going on to become a major champion and achieve the world number one ranking. Similarly, Amy Yang from South Korea won three times here before securing her first major victory.
This concept aligns with the LPGA’s direction in the new era, as emphasized by LPGA Tour President Craig Kessler: “Asia is key to future growth, in terms of athletes, golf fans, and partners. We will continue to enhance the audience experience, making it more accessible and engaging through on-course events, digital platforms, and youth programs that clearly pave the way from local courses to the global stage.”
When all the elements come together-the impressive form of Thai and Japanese golfers, the continued growth of women’s golf in the world, and a fully-equipped international stage-the Honda LPGA Thailand 2026 is not just another tournament on the calendar, but a pivotal moment for Asian women’s golf. And as February arrives at Siam Country Club Old Course, with the list of world-class players graduall
y revealed in late January, golf fans will be eagerly anticipating who will shine brightest on this stage. This is the real reason why you “can’t miss” this event.