Thai ace rules ICTSI Luisita International

TARLAC, Philippines — In a tense battle amid stifling conditions, PK Kongkraphan continued her run of victories on foreign soil by capturing the ICTSI Luisita Ladies International 2024 championship despite a closing 74.

The victory didn’t come easily as Hsuan Chen posed a formidable challenge throughout the $100,000 championship co-sanctioned by the LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) and the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, turning the final nine holes into a virtual match play.

In the end, Kongkraphan emerged triumphant.

Capitalizing on Chen’s costly bogeys on Nos. 15, 16 and 17, the Thai ace seized the opportunity to regain control of the match, securing the hard-fought, three-stroke victory with a brave run of pars.

Kongkraphan’s triumph, fashioned out on a five-under 211 total and worth $18,000, earned her a 24th professional title in a career spanning 15 years that likewise saw her triumph on various tours, including the Ladies Asian Golf Tour and the Epson Tour.

Kongkraphan, who campaigned for seven years on the LPGA Tour, also accumulated several championships on the Thai LPGA, leading to Order of Merit titles the last three years.

She expressed immense satisfaction and relief after securing her first win in the season, underscoring the hard work she had invested while noting that her efforts had finally paid off.