Thai ace Virada Nirapathpongporn wants to enjoy the weekend rather than setting lofty goals and feeling miserable after as she enters the inaugural LPGA event in the Kingdom, the US$1.3 Million Honda LPGA Thailand, which starts tomorrow at the Amata Spring Country Club.

The tour rookie said she wants to have a good time playing alongside such marquee names as American Cristie Kerr and two South Koreans Mi Hyun Kim and Hee-Won Han, ranked No 4, 5 and 10 respectively on the tour money list.

"I don't want to put myself under pressure by setting a particular goal. This is as tough as other LPGA events and there are a lot of talented players. I just want to go out there and give my best shot,'' said Virada, whose last appearance in a tournament at home was the Thailand Ladies Masters in Phuket in December where she finished joint sixth.

After joining the pro circuit in January, the 24-year-old, who is based in Orlando, had a solid first half of the season with the best run coming in the Corning Classic in New York where she finished tied fifth. But she is yet to pull herself back in the second half of the year, missing cuts in four of the six tournaments.

"I'm not happy with the second half of the season. There is a lot of room for improvement. Anyway, I never expected my rookie year to be easy,'' added Virada, who is No 72 in the rankings and has made US$133,568 this year.

But what could turn the tide in favour of the unfancied Thai is the moral support from fans and her family. Virada's elder brother Ekapak has taken leave from his work in Australia to caddy her.

"I'm so excited to play at home and having the support of my mother and my brother, who will be carrying the bag, will be just great,'' said Virada who together with Kerr conducted a clinic for youngsters at the golf course yesterday.

Kerr, winner of three titles in Tennessee, Ontario and Oklahoma this year, is making her first visit to Thailand and had no problem in acclimatising to the heat.

"I'm familiar with the weather. I grew up in Miami where it is hot like here,'' said the 29-year-old from Florida, who has made US$1,502,190 this year.

With nine out of the top 20 players in the field, Kerr, the highest-ranked player in the event, expects a tough challenge from her fellow pros.

"The field is strong. There are a lot of good players in Asia. It will be a competitive week. Everybody loves this course, so it's going to be a good week,'' said the American, who started her training for the first time yesterday.

"This is a very good golf course but the conditions are wet. I have to work on my putting and I hope to play well."

Kerr said she was impressed by the hospitality of Thai people and, for the first time, had the chance to taste an original tom yum kung, her favourite Thai food. The taste was much stronger than the dish she has back in the US.

"It is very spicy. It took me a while to cool off. But I love Thai food. It's healthy."

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation