Out of the Rough: Honda LPGA Thailand (2026)

After a multi-week break following the season opener Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the LPGA returns for the Honda LPGA Thailand.

This event was first staged in 2006 and outside of 2008 and 2020, has been a staple of the LPGA schedule.

The event has been staged at the Old Course at Siam Country Club since 2007, excluding 2009 when it was held at Siam Country Club’s newer Plantation Course.

This season marks the 19th installment of the Honda LPGA Thailand.

The Honda LPGA Classic was the first LPGA tour event held in Thailand.

The Field

This week’s event is a limited field event, hosting 72 of the World’s best women golfers.

Despite being a limited field event, the Honda LPGA Classic annually draws a star-studded field.

This week’s field is headlined by World No. 1 and Thailand native, Jeeno Thitikul. Thitikul is yet to win this event on home soil.

Other golfers ranked within the top ten of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings teeing it up this week include Miyu Yamashita (No. 4,) Lydia Ko (No. 6,) Ruoning Yin (No. 7,) Lottie Woad (No. 8,) Hyo Joo Kim (No. 9) and Sei Young Kim (No. 10.)

Although Patty Tavatanakit (2024) is the latest Taiwanese golfer to win this event, she is not playing this week. Arijya Jutanugarn (2021) will serve as the most recent Taiwanese golfer to win here.

Angel Yin comes in as the defending champion, having topped Akie Iwai by a stroke to win the Honda LPGA Thailand a season ago.

Other former winners of this event teeing it up this week include Lilia Vu (2023) and Nanna Koerstz Madsen (2022.) 

The Course

The Old Course at the Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand will play host for the 17th time.

It plays as a par-72 at 6,649 yards.

The course was established in 1971 by Isao Mazumi. It underwent extensive renovations in 2007 under the guidance of Schmidt-Curley Design.

This venue is widely known as the best golfing experience in Thailand.

The course is routed through the lush hills just outside of Pattaya. It is a classic parkland layout.

Fairways are tee-lined and flanked by tamarind and acacia trees. These fairways are also gently undulating.

The fairways run north-south and south-north across this track, running towards or away from a creek that runs throughout the property.

Water comes into play often at this golf course, but none more notable than what has been deemed the “Amen Corner” of Thai golf.

Holes 15, 16 and 17 come together to form Thai golf’s “Amen Corner.” The 15th hole is a par-four, the 16th is a long par-three and the par-17th is guarded by water.

The finishing hole, a 540-yard homeward bound par-five that features a sweeping up-hill dogleg. The green sits in a bit of a natural amphitheater, in front of the clubhouse terrace. The 18th green is also heavily contoured.

Simply put, this is a course that requires patience over aggression.

The Weather

As of the time of writing this, there is a 25-percent chance of precipitation on Thursday, a 20-percent chance on Friday, a 15-percent chance on Saturday and a 25-percent chance on Sunday. Temperatures will be at the highest on Thursday at 89-degrees before settling to 87-degree on Friday. From there, temperatures will bounce back to 88-degrees on Saturday before turning to 87-degree come Sunday.

Key Stats

• Birdie or Better Percentage

• Par 5 Scoring Average

• Strokes Gained: Approach (SG: APP)

• Stroked Gained: Putting (SG: PUTT)

• Ball Striking

• Sand Saves Percentage

Betting Card

Nasa Hataoka (+1600)

Hataoka last teed it up at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions where she finished T9th. She didn’t play this event a season ago but placed 41st in 2024, 23rd in 2023, 12th in 2022 and 31st in 2021. She finished last season eighth on tour in both birdie-or-better percentage and ball striking, 11th in sand saves percentage, 13th in SG: APP, 33th in par-five average scoring and 61st in SG: PUTT. 

Rio Takeda (+5000)

I thought this number was simply too big to ignore for a talent such as Takeda. She placed ninth at this event a season ago. She finished last season second on Tour in both SG: APP and ball striking, 17th in sand saves percentage, 19th in par-five average scoring and 35th in birdie-or-better percentage. Maybe the struggles with the flat-stick are baked into this price as she finished last season 132nd in SG: PUTT. She’ll need to spike with the putter this week if she hopes to compete. She placed T30th at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Celine Boutier (+5000)

This was my first click this week. She finished last season sixth on Tour in sand saves percentage, eighth in par-five average scoring, 17th in SG: APP, 25th in SG: PUTT, 26th in birdie-or-better percentage and 29th in ball striking. Not a bad resume at all. She didn’t play the season opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions but did tee it up at the PIF Saudi Ladies International where she missed the cut. She has a proven track record at this event however. She placed 28th a season ago, 49th in 2024, fourth in 2023, third in 2022 and 17th in 2021. 

Andrea Lee (+8000)

My longshot this week is Lee. She’s played this event each of the past three seasons, placing 33rd a season ago, 65th in 2024 and 51st in 2023. She too teed it up last week at the PIF Saudi Ladies International where she missed the cut. She finished last season 19th on Tour in par-five average scoring, 21st in SG: APP, 26th in SG: PUTT, 29th in sand saves percentage, 32nd in ball striking and 35th in birdie-or-better percentage. Again, a rather good resume for someone priced in this range.