CHON BURI: Thai men’s captain Boonchu Ruangkit shows concerns over the fitness of his key players Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn but still believes his side will dominate Japan in the Amata Friendship Cup, which gets underway on Friday at the Amata Spring Country Club.
The inaugural edition of the mixed team event between the two nations feature 12 players of each side (six men and six women) compete in foursomes, fourballs and singles format with the first side to earn 14.5 points from 28 walking away with the prize money of US$1.2 million.
While his team members have joined the practice rounds since last week, the world No. 1 Ariya and Moriya were busy with their schedule and only managed to practise on Wednesday’s afternoon which raised concerns from the Thai living golf legend.
“I’m a bit worried as Ariya and Moriya were busy and had very little time for practice. But I still believe in their ability,” said the 62-year-old Boonchu, five-time winner on the Asian Tour. He, however, believes his players will reign supreme over Japan.
“Some of our players are stronger than the Japanese team while the rest are quite close. But I’m confident we have the edge a bit but we won’t underestimate them,” the Thai captain said.
Ariya, who spent three days at hospital because of influenza earlier this month, said she was inspired by legendary teammates to summon her top form this week.
“When you came and saw your team which consists of legends like Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marksaeng and even Kiradech Aphibarnrat, you have motivation to do well,” said Ariya, the first player in the history to make a clean sweep of all major LPGA awards this year.
But the world No. 1 player said she was nervous to compete in the mixed team format for the first time.
“I feel quite excited with this format and feel a bit fear I might be the burden if my partner is a legendary golfer. Teaming with any Thai legend will be an honour,” added Ariya who has won three LPGA trophies this season.
Thailand also features a strong line-up of her sister Moriya and Thidapa Suwannapura, each a first time winner on the LPGA this year, world No. 50 Pornanong Phatlum, up-and-coming Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras and teenage rising star Atthaya Thitikul.
While Japan’s only main threat in the women’s team is the world No 7 and two-time LPGA winner Nasa Hataoka, Ariya doesn’t write off the chance of the visitors.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen in match play format as anyone can be dangerous on any given day. I can’t say if we have the advantage but I can say we are a very strong team,” Ariya added.
On the men’s side, Thai No. 1 Kiradech will team up with Atthaya for today’s foursomes according to Boonchu. The Thai captain also named Prom Meesawat and Pannarat as his other pick but denied to reveal the rest.
“I’ve never competed in this format before but I believe in the abilities of our female players. As for Atthaya, she is a good player as she is the No 1 amateur in Thailand,” added Kiradech, the first Thai to play on the PGA Tour with full card membership.
Japanese men’s team is led by Satoshi Kodaira, the world No 47 who has one PGA victory under his belt from the RBC Heritage in South Carolina in April, Hideto Tanhara, 14-time Japan Tour winner and the world No 113 Ryuko Tokimatsu, winner of three Japan Tour titles.
Captain Joe Ozaki, who spearheaded Asia to two wins in 2009 and 2012, admitted that his team had to adjust to the mixed team competition.
“This is the first time the men’s and women’s have to compete together. So we have to get used to each other and don’t know what to expect but it will be fun,” said the 62-year-old Ozaki, winner of 32 Japan Tour titles.
