THANAPOLBOONYARAS CARDS A 65 ON FINAL DAY

Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (Rio-Et, Thailand) started her round exactly three hours before the leaders even tee’d off. She made some noise early in the day with a 7-under, 65 and moved all the way up to a tie for fourth.

“My wedge shots were working really good today,” said Thanapolboonyaras. “I had about 90-100 yards a lot and I hit a lot of close shots for birdie.”

The highlight of her round was a near hole-in-one on the fourth.

“I had about 170 yards and I hit a 5-iron,” explained Thanapolboonyaras. “It landed about five feet below the pin and then rolled right next to it.”

Thanapolboonyaras, 19, has made 12 starts on the LPGA Tour this year and plays mostly on the big tour. She played the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship because she didn’t get into the two events on the LPGA in Scotland. Last week on the LPGA, she finished T27 at the Marathon Classic. Her best finish on the LPGA is a T18 at the Kingsmill Championship.

Thanapolboonyaras will play on the Epson Tour again next week at the PHC Classic with a chance to qualify for The Evian Championship.

“It would be nice because I really want to play in a major,” said Thanapolboonyaras. “Last year, I tried but didn’t qualify so hopefully I can next week.”

LEE EARNS 500 POTAWATOMI CUP POINTS TO HAVE CHANCE TO WIN CUP

Erynne Lee earned 500 Potawatomi Cup points for her victory at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship. The PHC Classic next week is the fourth and final event that is part of the Potawatomi Cup, a series created by the four events sponsored by Potawatomi nation tribes.

Lee now has 643.5 points, which is second in the Potawatomi Cup standings. Niphatsophon earned 300 points for her second place finish and has 667.5 points to lead the standings. The player with the most points at the end of the PHC Classic will earn a $6,000 bonus, which doesn’t count towards the money list.

The Potawatomi Cup has given players a $40,000 pool to compete for over the course of the four tournaments. There is $8,500 available at each tournament.

Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship Final Round Notes and Interviews

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