Patty Tavatankit’s trophy case was looking quite promising after her ANA Inspiration victory last spring, but after this week it will need room for a little extra hardware. The LPGA Tour announced on Monday that the 22-year-old clinched Rookie of the Year honors with two events to play in the 2021 season.
“Earning this award is a dream come true for me,” Tavatanakit said. “It’s once in a lifetime. I’m so thrilled that I get to add my name to a spectacular list of recipients that I have looked up to for many years.”
The Bangkok native is the second player from Thailand to win the award, joining Moriya Jutanugarn, who accomplished the feat in 2013.
On top of her major victory earlier this season, Tavatanakit also registered eight top-10 finishes in 17 starts and ranked 10th in scoring average. She is currently third in points for Player of the Year honors.
This is the second major award Tavatanakit has clinched via her strong play in the 2021 campaign. She also clinched the Rolex Annika Major Award — based on her finishes in all five women’s majors during the season — after the AIG Women’s Open, edging out fellow major winner Nelly Korda.
Tavatankit also won Rookie of the Year on the Symetra Tour in 2019, as she won three times on the development circuit to earn a promotion to the LPGA Tour. Once at the highest level, she wasted no time picking up where she left off as she won the ANA at Mission Hills Country Club in just her second start as a professional.
“This season has been one to remember,” she said. “I’m excited to finish 2021 strong as the Tour’s newest Rookie of the Year.”