HONDA LPGA THAILAND

May 7, 2021

Atthaya Thitikul

Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course

Quick Quotes

Q. Welcome back, Atthaya. Just your thoughts after the second day here in Thailand.

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Well, today it's been a hot day again in Thailand. You know, like but today I think I hit the ball really well. I give myself little chance and keep my momentum going.

Q. Take me through the second day here in Thailand.

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Well, another hot day in Thailand. You know, like have to be patient and stay hydrated out there.

You know, I think today I hit the ball pretty good. You know, just like not making a putt, but, you know, try to give myself a lot of chance to make a birdie.

Q. And you definitely did. You had a really great opening there, especially that eagle on the front nine. Take us through that eagle.

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Well, I'm really surprise with that eagle. When I going to putt I feel like did I going to make it again with eagle? Like two day with three eagles. Can I or not?

I just putt what I see and then it's went in. I was like, Okay. Nice. You know, good job. You did it again. (Laughter.)

Q. You also were able to birdie three more times on the back nine, but you did have the one bogey. Take me through the back nine and how you were feeling as you went through the heat that we're going through.

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: In the back nine I think that I have a pretty good like up and down reaching par-5 that I got -- no, sorry, just on hole 10, and then keeping birdie.

And I think back nine have like a lot of chance to make a birdie, but I just like make it like some holes and then miss it some hole.

And then on 17 I was like front of the green but the pin is high up there and I chip, three-putt, but that's fine, because I know that that is tough shot over there.

Yeah, that's it. I just miss some putt.

Q. You turned pro right before the pandemic. You played well in Thailand on the Thai LPGA. How tough was it not being able to play outside of your country last year, and did you consider leaving Thailand at all?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Well, at first we decided to went out to play out there, but so sad that pandemic and COVID coming, and it's so tough to be in my country and then just play only the Thai Tour, but I really want to go out there.

But in a different way think it's a good year that made me improve my game. You know, just working out with my body as well, and it's another year that have gained a lot -- improve a lot on my game.

Q. How much do you think you learned from winning five times last year in your first year as a professional?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: I think I learn a lot being in first year as pro and then won five times in a row. Well, it's mean a lot to me as well. But at the same time, I think that that is one step in my career. You know, like I have to improve a lot. My game needs more work, needs more improve, yeah.

Q. Who do you work with over here in Thailand?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: I work with Chris. His name is Chris. He is my best brother like here, but back then when I was an amateur we are working together like in National Team. He is a coach over there, and then we went out and like going serious career in work, and then, yeah, we are working until now.

Q. So he coaches the Thai National Team?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Yeah, too, but not this time.

Q. Oh, so he quit to work with you?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Yeah, with me and with some player in Thailand as well, yeah.

Q. So this is someone you said is like a big brother to you almost?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Well, I think he is my everything, like for real. He's like a coach, father, brother sometimes, and everything. Like him being so nice with me, like he's -- I'm like his sister, like his daughter as well.

But he mean everything to me. Not just only in the course, but off the course as well.

Q. How tough is it for you that you weren't able to go through Q-School last year? Was that something on your plate, something you were striving for once you turned professional?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Yeah, that's what I planning for going to Q-School last year, but last year I just was 17. I have to do the petition for going to Q-School.

But after COVID came and then no Q-School anymore, right. Okay, then that's why I have to work and improve and waiting for another year.

Q. What is your schedule like for the rest of the year?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Right now we are planning to go to Europe, Ladies European Tour, this month after the Honda LPGA this month, and then, you know, like look at the ranking and which state of like LPGA going to go to.

Q. Yeah. And when you are here competing at the Honda LPGA Thailand, who did you grow up aspiring to be like and who did you look up to growing up?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Who like...

Q. Who, like player?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: I mean, I think all the Thai player inspiring me to be a better golfer for our country as well, for being like representing Thailand. I think all Thai players and all the players inspiring me to one day that I want to be a part of LPGA member.

Q. I know that's been a dream for a while. Are your parents watching this week from afar?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Yeah, I think they watching and they -- I think they watching, and then you know after round when I got back to hotel I always call them.

Q. Oh, really?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Yeah.

Q. Does your coach call as well?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Yeah, yeah, yeah, every single day. I think I'm feel so lonely, but he is feel so lonely more than me.

Q. With your parents, what are some of the things they've been telling you?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Nothing, I think it's not in the course. We just talking like normal stuff and then like make some fun.

Q. My last question today is going to be what are you going to be working on heading into - and focusing on - heading into the third round tomorrow?

ATTHAYA THITIKUL: Well, I think today I going to go straight to driving range for fixing some of my iron and some putt thing. I think putting is the most important thing here in Honda LPGA.

You know, like everyone can hit in the green and hit close to the pin, but if you can make it, then your day was go like so smooth.