VIRADA NIRAPATHPONGPORN hits her approach shot during the pro-am competition.

There's the heat and the intermittent rain. Throw in the familiarity of the landscape and the five Thais in the US$1.3 million Honda LPGA Thailand start with an advantage at the Amata Spring Country Club.

All eyes will be on Virada Nirapathpongporn, the first Thai-born golfer to play on the pro circuit. Sharing the spotlight today will be Pornanong Phatlum, February's Hong Kong Ladies Open winner, Nontaya Srisawang, the 2005 Thailand Ladies Masters champion, Titiya Plucksataporn and Onnarin Sattayabanphot.

Virada, or NP3 as she is wittily known in LPGA circles for her long surname which is unpronounceable to many Westerners, hopes to end her miserable second half of the season with a smashing victory at home. She will tee-off with world No 4 and tournament favourite Cristie Kerr in the day's highlight pairing at 12.04pm.

Pornanong, the 16-year-old who turned professional right after her surprise win in Hong Kong, could be the dark-horse to make an impact this weekend. She will start with Nicole Castrale of the United States at 9.40am.

Chiang Mai-born Nontaya is another golfer who has the capability to cause a stir in the inaugural LPGA event in the Kingdom. As an amateur, she came out of nowhere to outperform experienced players and emerge the winner in the Thailand Ladies Masters in Phuket in December. The teenager and American Reilley Rankin will start playing at 8.46am.

Apart from the five players, there are two half-Thais who have a fair chance of winning this weekend. Born to a Thai father, American Stacey Prammanasudh and South Korean Aree Song, who has a Thai mother, are alternate choices for the local crowd to cheer on.

The 27-year-old Prammanasudh has one title under her belt, the Franklin American Mortgage Championship she won last year. Married to Pete Upton two years ago, the 19th-ranked American had a breakthrough year in 2006 where she finished inside the top 20 in 13 tournaments. She and Englishwoman Laura Davies tee-off at 12.13pm.

Aree, the twin sister of Naree, has returned to Thailand for the first time since the Thailand Ladies Masters. Currently No 54 on the money list with US$217,188 this year alone, the 20-year-old will try to halt her below par form in her mother's homeland after missing the cut in the last three events. She starts with the  compatriot Mi Hyun Kim, the No 5 player, in the last group at 12.31pm.

Also in the competition are No 16 Sophie Gustafson of Sweden, No 18 Meena Lee of South Korea, No 19 Julieta Granada of Paraguay and No 20 Jee Young lee of South Korea.

In addition to the heat and possible rain, competitors will have a true island experience at the 7,322-yard-course when they set up on the 17th tee and look to the flagstick on Asia's only island green. Players, when they hit their balls safely onto the green, have to take a ferry to complete the par-3 145-yard hole.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation