Portland Classic 2023 turned into a thrilling competition towards the end and gave us a new winner. Many golfers tried to put out their best games, but one of them stole the show. Clinching the trophy and the winner’s payout of $225,000 was the Thai LPGA pro, Chanettee Wannasaen.

The Thailand star turned professional in 2021 after witnessing a fruitful amateur career. She entered the Portland Classic as a Monday qualifier and sat one stroke behind Megan Khang at one point. In the post-round interview, the winner revealed how it all came together to mark her victory in the end.

Chanettee Wannasaen talks about her undying strive to win

The debutant LPGA Tour winner played a five-hole stretch in 6 under on Sunday. As if flaunting her skills, she almost flawlessly closed with 9-under 63 and achieved a four-stroke victory. She is the first Monday qualifier to win since 2015. Prior to her, Canadian player Brooke Henderson won the same tournament as a qualifier in 2015, while American Laurel Kean claimed the State Farm Classic as one in 2000.

In the post-round interview, Wannasaen was asked about her emotions surrounding a debut LPGA Tour win. “It’s everything to me because, like I miss cut about nine events before this tournament, you know, but I’m very hopeful for make it happen, and it’s happen now,” she said.

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The reporters also called her nickname, “Proud.” And congratulated her on “win no.1”. The pictures from Portland Classic’s Instagram account show her radiant smile after winning and the bond she shares with her caddie.

Chanettee also mentioned her caddie. When the reporter called her game a delightful sight, they also wondered what did the 19-year-old say to herself before carding a 63. Wannasaen credited her caddie and the conversations on the course they had “all the time.”

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Despite being a teenager, Wannasaen also revealed that she has maintained good control over her mind. It is safe to say that the rookie player has mastered both golf and the ability to calm oneself by gaining control over the mind. After a tough season in 2023, this victory comes as a fresh whiff of air for the Thai star.

‘Proud’ has had a tough year, but things turned around

Chanettee Wannasaen arrived at the Portland Classic ranked 367th. In her rookie season, she had missed nine straight cuts. However, she managed to play some splendid golf in the four rounds at Columbia Edgewater and created history by shattering the tournament record by 5 strokes with a 26-under 262.

She made only one cut in 11 starts in the 2023 season. Prior to the Portland Classic, her best finish was at the limited-field Honda LPGA Thailand – a T-51 in February. Interestingly, she also did not see the weekend on the field since her first stateside start in March.

She had also tried to Monday qualify for Mizuho America’s Open but failed. But things turned around this weekend and she played spectacular golf carding 68-66-65-63. Her accurate putting and the drive to prove herself came with absolutely calm gameplay and captured victory from Megan Khang and others.

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