Photos: As Jin Young Ko aims for three-peat, LPGA players pose at famed Marina Bay Sands in Singapore

February 27, 2024

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Patty Tavatanakit isn’t tired. That’s what she’s telling herself this week, at least, as she heads into the HSBC Women’s World Championship fresh off back-to-back victories in Saudi Arabia and Thailand. It’s all between the ears.

“I feel like if I tell myself ‘I’m not tired,’ then I’m not going to be as tired,” she said, “in comparison to like, ‘Oh, my God, I’m just so tired.’ It’s just really how you talk to yourself.”

“I am working on staying fresh. I kind of moved around, get my body going and feeling a little bit more athletic throughout the week.”

After ending a three-year victory drought in dramatic fashion, the major champion headed to Singapore, where a field of 66 takes on the 16th edition of what many call “Asia’s major.”

Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand speaks in a press conference prior to the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club on February 27, 2024 in Singapore. (Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images)

Jin Young Ko has won the last two HSBC events and a victory this week would make the former No. 1 the 10th player to win three consecutive times at the same tournament and the first since Inbee Park.

In addition to her two titles, Ko tied for sixth at the HSBC in 2018 and took a share of third in 2019.

“I had lot of injuries last three years,” said Ko, “but now I feel it’s getting better in the last two years. And yes, I’m getting old, but my body is getting better, I would say.”

Ko is one of three past champions in the field this week, joined by Hyo Joo Kim (2021) and Jiyai Shin (2009).

While former No. 1 Ruoning Yin makes her debut in this event, Minjee Lee tees it up for the first time on the LPGA this year. Lee, now in her 10th season on the LPGA, has twice finished runner-up in Singapore in 2019 and 2022.

“I definitely think ball-striking is a big thing out here,” Lee said. “You want to hit the fairways, hit the greens and you’ll have good chances with birdies.”

Danielle Kang of the United States and Ruoning Yin of China smile during a practice round prior to the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club on February 27, 2024 in Singapore. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

One of the most intriguing storylines this week is the return of Lydia Ko, who won the season-opening event at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and lost in a playoff the following week to Nelly Korda.

Ko, of course, needs only one more point to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame, and a victory in Singapore would get her there.

The TOC title made Ko the seventh woman in LPGA history to reach 20 wins before age 27, joining Nancy Lopez, Karrie Webb, Se Ri Pak, Mickey Wright, Lorena Ochoa and Kathy Whitworth.

Ko currently leads the money list with $388,689 and heads into Singapore fresh off a four-week break.

As for Tavatanakit, the newly-crowned hottest player in the world, she’ll aim to not fall back on a familiar perfectionist mindset and give her tired body some grace.

“The mindset going into this week is probably embrace like the difficulties of the little things that’s coming along,” said Tavatanakit, “and just hold my head up high and just accept the challenge.

“And also have fun. Like, I really want to have fun. This is one of my favorite weeks to play in.”

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As many of the game’s best gather in Singapore, check out images from the swanky welcome reception at Marina Bay Sands: