Chanettee Wannasaen secured her second LPGA victory at the Dana Open, marking a significant milestone in her young career. The Thai player, who had previously made history by winning as a Monday-qualifier at the Portland Classic, found herself in a different position this time around. Wannasaen entered the final round with a lead she had never experienced before, having led after 54 holes for the first time.
As Wannasaen battled through the final round, she faced tough competition from Haeran Ryu, last year’s Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year. Despite seeing her lead diminish to just one stroke, Wannasaen held her nerve and closed out the tournament with clutch birdies on the last two holes. Her strong finish allowed her to finish at 20 under par and clinch the victory by a single stroke.
At just 20 years old, Wannasaen became the youngest winner of the season, adding her name to the list of Thai players who have triumphed on the LPGA Tour this year. Looking ahead, Wannasaen expressed her desire to continue her winning ways and pursue more trophies in the future.
While Wannasaen captured the spotlight with her victory, other players also made their mark at the Dana Open. Mary Liu and Ssu-Chia Cheng put in strong performances to secure valuable CME points, ensuring their spots in the top 100 of the season standings. Liu, in particular, highlighted the challenges of being a rookie on the LPGA Tour but remained optimistic about the learning opportunities each tournament presented.
In addition to the competitive action on the course, the tournament also featured poignant moments off the course, including a special celebration honoring American golfer Lexi Thompson. Despite initially hesitating to be the center of attention, Thompson’s impact on the tour and her impending shift to a part-time schedule were recognized with emotional tributes from fans and fellow players.
As the season progresses, players like Wannasaen, Liu, and Thompson will continue to showcase their talents and resilience on the LPGA Tour, providing fans with thrilling golf moments and inspiring stories of determination and success.
