Pattaya: The 19th Honda LPGA Thailand, a world-class women's golf tournament, is officially entering its countdown, generating renewed excitement among golf fans as the organizers have announced the names of 12 invited golfers who will compete from February 19-22, 2026, at Siam Country Club Old Course, Pattaya, for a total prize pool of US$1.8 million (approximately 60 million baht).
According to Thai News Agency, the 12 invited golfers were not selected solely based on world rankings or statistics on paper. Instead, they are players who bring 'energy, personality, and stories' to the competition, adding color, excitement, and elevating the tournament's atmosphere from day one. This year's invited group includes four golfers from Thailand, four from Japan, two from the United States, one from China, and one from Italy, reflecting the diversity of participants and the role of players from various regions on the world stage of women's golf.
On the Thai side, the roster is led by two veterans with long ties to this stage: Mo-Moriya Jutanugarn and Waen-Pornanong Phetlame, who continue to play important roles both on the course and as representatives of the growth of Thai women's golf. Joining them are rising stars: April-Chanoknan Angkuraseni, a 21-year-old from the Ladies European Tour and champion of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2026 National Qualifiers, and Prim-Prim Prachnakorn, a 17-year-old Thai national amateur golfer and two-time SEA Games gold medalist, who is invited to compete in this tournament as the only amateur, and has also been invited to compete in the prestigious Augusta National Women's Amateur. These golfers are poised to represent the new generation on the world stage. The combination of experience, determination, and the energy of this new generation makes this invited group more than just a roster addition; they are an integral part of the story unfolding on the fairways of this tournament.
The international lineup further intensifies the competition with the participation of two world major champions, Yuka Saso from Japan and Danielle Kang from the United States, as well as Muni He, a popular Chinese golfer among Thai golf fans. This year, in particular, the presence of four invited Japanese golfers reflects Asia's role on the world stage and adds a new dimension to the competition in terms of both playing style and a diverse fan base.
The Honda LPGA Thailand is the only world-class professional women's golf tournament held in Thailand. It's a 72-hole stroke play tournament played over four rounds with no cut, and features 72 top-level golfers from around the globe. This makes it a platform that brings together almost all of the world's leading golfers. Each region has its own unique strengths, as Thai world number one golfer, Gino-Attaya Thitikul, once stated: American golfers excel in power and long drives, European golfers have a more refined game and adaptability, while Asian golfers are strong in consistency, discipline, and accuracy.
Mo-Moriya, 31, a three-time LPGA Tour champion, will be playing in the tournament for the 16th time, the most of any golfer. She emphasized that this event is a platform she has been connected to since her amateur days and is her first LPGA tournament. Meanwhile, Waen-Pornanong, 36, who will be playing for the 14th time, sees this tournament as reflecting the growth of Thai women's golf over the past 20 years and affirmed that she will do her best in front of her home fans.
As for the rising golf stars, April-Chanoknan, the qualifying round champion, revealed that her four years of effort culminating in her success in earning the right to compete is a significant source of pride in her life. Meanwhile, Prim, a member of the Thai national golf team, views being invited to play in this tournament as a dream come true and a priceless opportunity to gain experience playing alongside world-class golfers.
On the international side, Japan is led by 24-year-old Yuka Saso, the 2021 and 2024 US Women's Open major champion, playing for the fifth time. She is joined by the star sisters Yuri Yoshida, 25, a four-time JLPGA professional champion, and Rin Yoshida, 22, also from the JLPGA, as well as 28-year-old Naruha Miyata, competing for the first time. From the United States, Danielle Kang, 33, a six-time LPGA champion including the 2017 Women's PGA Championship, is playing for the 11th time. She is joined by 17-year-old rising star Gianna Clemente, returning for her second consecutive year as a professional after being an amateur last year. Muni He from China, 26, a one-time Epson Tour champion, remains a favorite among Thai golf fans. And she will be playing for the fifth time alongside 24-year-old Italian Benedetta Moresco, who won the best amateur golfer award at the 2023 US Women's Open and will be making her debut in this tournament.
The gathering of the 12 invited golfers is not just an announcement of additional players, but a signal of the atmosphere of the upcoming competition-the intensity, the stories, and the memorable moments that await from the very first day. This makes the Honda LPGA Thailand 2026 more than just a world-class championship stage; it's a golf experience that fans shouldn't miss a single shot of.