EVIAN: Ariya Jutanugarn won the 2018 Annika Major Award at the end of the Evian Championship on Sunday.
The award, named after legendary star Annika Sorenstam, recognises the player who has the most outstanding record in the year's five major championships.
The Thai received the honour thanks to her win at the US Women's Open, her second career major victory, and ties for fourth place at the ANA Inspiration and the Women's British Open.
The 22-year-old from Bangkok, who joins Michelle Wie (2014), Park In-Bee (2015), Lydia Ko (2016) and Ryu So-Yeon (2017) as winners of the prestigious award, was honoured in a ceremony on the 18th green at the Evian Championship, the year's final major.
"I feel great. I feel really honoured to join the list of winners because they are all big names,'' Ariya said.
"I watched Annika play when I was young. She is my idol. It was like 'Look how she is doing?' I really want to follow in her footsteps. She inspires me a lot. I really want to thank her for all the great things she has done for the LPGA Tour. It's amazing for me."
Ariya finished tied for 48th on 283 at the Evian Championship, three shots ahead of sister Moriya.
Ariya has won three tournaments this year -- the US Women's Open, the Kingsmill Championship and the Ladies Scottish Open.
