CHON BURI: The media centre at the Amata Friendship Cup presented by Toyota was on Wednesday buzzing with speculation around the pending captains' pairings announcements.
With heavy hitters from the men’s and women’s game descending on Amata Spring Country Club, the prospective pairings for the match between Thailand and Japan are mouth-watering.
As the sun set on the second official day of practice, Thai sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanagurn joined their teammates for a late afternoon practice session.
All players seemed to be in good form and in good spirits, despite the trials of a busy year, in particular Ariya, who capped off a scintillating 2018, capturing the LPGA Player of the Year award, world top ranking and Race to the CME Globe title.
Much chatter amongst fans and media alike is what the pairings will be and what strategy is deployed.
Who will Ariya be best suited to play with? The big hitting combo, alongside Kiradech Aphibarnrat or a strategic partnership with one of the more experienced?
What is symbolic is the vivid scenes of the next generation of Thai golfer walking alongside the nation’s most recognised and revered players.
The likes of Atthaya Thitikul, Sadom Kaewkanjana and Jazz Janewattananond will undoubtedly look back to this event and reflect on how much they were able to learn, competing alongside their idols and the impact for the future of the game, in one of its most treasured nations, will surely benefit.
The Japanese team have brought much colour to the occasion. The team have arrived eager to test out the course and acclimatise.
Many of the players have been meticulous in their preparations and there is a close guarded game of sportsmanship going on; friendly but competitive.
The Japanese players include PGA Tour winner Satoshi Kodaira, LPGA star Nasa Hatakoa and European Tour star Hideto Tanihara.
