Who is Natthakritta Vongtaveelap? Thai rookie shocks opposition on LPGA debut

The 20-year-old Natthakritta Vongtaveelap surprised everyone with her impressive game at the Honda LPGA in Thailand, where she is leading after three rounds of golf. She finished at 20-under 196, which included an eagle and six birdies, including three straight from the 16th.

If Vongtaveelap's form continues, she could become the first player to win on her LPGA Tour debut since Japanese Hinako Shibuno at the 2019 Women’s British Open, and she hopes to win in front of her home crowd.

Vongtaveelap said:

"This is a bit beyond my expectations but it´s not impossible. A bigger crowd is expected to turn up tomorrow and I will try to take that as an inspiration to do my best."

Born in 2002, Natthakritta began playing golf at a very young age, and she has had a very successful career. As an amateur, she tasted success at several events, including the SINGHA Thailand Amateur Open and the 31st South East Asia Games Individual.

The Singha Thailand Amateur Match Play Championship in 2022, the Singha Thai Ladies Amateur Open, etc. are also events where she has come out on top. She also ended up as a runner-up twice in the 2021 and 2022 Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship.

Following her success as an amateur, Vongtaveelap turned pro in November 2022. She made her debut as a professional in early February at the BGCC Championship 2023.

She won her first event as a pro at the Thai LPGA. She has currently participated in the Thai LPGA tour and United States LPGA Tour since joining the tour in 2023. Vongtaveelap earned her LPGA Tour card in late 2022 after finishing T-28th in the LPGA Q-Series.

Vongtaveelap triumphed for her second Thai LPGA title at the NSDF Ladies Classic at Treasure Hill Golf and Country in Banbueng, Chonburi, Thailand.

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Natthakritta Vongtaveelap leads after three rounds at Honda LPGA

Natthakritta Vongtaveelap leads after three rounds of golf at Honda LPGA Thailand

Vongtaveelap kept up her good form on Saturday with an 8-under, 64 at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course.

Vongtaveelap said:

“(Third round was) really good today. Perfect. Except tee shot first nine hole,” said Vongtaveelap.

She added that although Saturday was big, Sunday will be bigger as the two Thais are at the top fighting for the title. Referring to Atthaya, she also added that it was good to play with a friend.

She added:

“I haven’t played with (Atthaya) for a long time. It will be my second day with her. Glad to be together again."

Alongside Vongtaveelap, World No. 4 Thitikul also scored a 64. The two-time LPGA winner started her round with three consecutive birdies and went on to card five more before making a bogey on the 16th hole. But she quickly bounced back with a birdie on the 18th.

Thitkul said her mental game was good in the third round, and she didn't think much about the match.

She said:

“Also, I can perform really well with the ball-striking and when I hit it solid like today, so giving me a chance to make the birdie. Maybe I have more confidence today, which I don't know why, because maybe I don't think much on the course," she said.

Celine Boutier shot a 67 to take third place at 201. American Lilia Vu, Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, and compatriot Maja Stark were at T-4 by six strokes short of Vongtaveelap in 14-under-202.