Anannarukarn Beats Furue To Win Match Play Title In Vegas
The Thai takes the cash in the desert after finishing the marathon event with victory over her Japanese opponent


Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand signed off the longest week on the LPGA Tour with a 3&1 victory over Ayaka Furue of Japan on Sunday to win the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play in Las Vegas.
For a split second, it looked as though the match would go down 18, when Furue hit the left side of the hole with her bunker shot on the penultimate hole. However, the ball failed to drop and, with her opponent in close, the match was conceded.
“Match Play is taking a lot of energy throughout the week,” said Anannarukarn, after her seventh match in five days. “I'm really soaking it in right now. It's been a great week, and I'm grateful for everything.”
For Anannarukarn, the first Thai winner on the LPGA Tour this season, this was victory number two, and her first since the ISPS Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland in 2021, a tournament co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour.
This was LPGA Tour title number two for Anannarukarn
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the 23-year-old. In her match with Karis Davidson of Australia, and after losing the 18th to set up a playoff, she found herself in a divot in the first cut. Somehow, though, she managed to gouge the ball out and make par.
Then, after disposing of Solheim Cup stalwart Carlota Ciganda and Cheyenne Knight of the United States in the quarter finals, Anannarukarn found top gear, reeling off eight birdies against Linn Grant in her last four tie on a fast and firm Shadow Creek.
Furue took out Leona Maguire of Ireland in her semi final, but despite taking an early lead, she found her opponent too hot to handle in the championship match.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Anannarukarn looked to have taken control when she won the 12th with a short birdie to go 2 up, only for Furue to fight back with a long iron to two feet for a conceded birdie on the next hole.
However, the Thai bounced straight back with a birdie of her own on 14, before delivering a laser of an iron to six feet on the 17th, which proved to be the killer blow.
“The wind picked up a lot. I think I used up all my birdies,” added a jubilant Anannarukarn. “I really tried hard. I missed a couple of putts, I shanked one out of the bunker. It's golf, and I really tried. I'm glad I was able to play decent enough.”
Michael has been with Golf Monthly since 2008. As a multimedia journalist, he has also worked for The Football Association, where he created content to support the men's European Championships, The FA Cup, London 2012, and FA Women's Super League. As content editor at Foremost Golf, Michael worked closely with golf's biggest equipment manufacturers, and has developed an in-depth knowledge of this side of the industry. He's a regular contributor, covering instruction, equipment and feature content. Michael has interviewed many of the game's biggest stars, including seven World No.1s, and has attended and reported on many Major Championships and Ryder Cups around the world. He's a member of Formby Golf Club in Merseyside, UK.
-
Joaquin Niemann Wins LIV Golf Singapore Title
The Chilean won his second LIV Golf event of the season thanks to a bogey-free 65 on Sunday in Singapore
By Elliott Heath Published
-
The Players Championship Tee Times - Round Four
J.J Spaun, Bud Cauley and Lucas Glover are the final group as for Sunday's deciding round at TPC Sawgrass
By Mike Hall Published
-
You Don't See This Very Often... Why Does This Tour Pro Have A Right Handed And Left Handed Putter In The Bag This Week?
Playing the Australian Women's Classic, it was revealed that Marianne Skarpnord had put two putters in her bag for the week, with the reason being quite simple
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Charley Hull And Georgia Hall Knocked Out Of Sunningdale Foursomes
The LPGA Tour stars fell short against Tom Shadbolt and Ben Evans in the last 16 of the prestigious contest
By Mike Hall Published
-
Charley Hull And Georgia Hall Progress As Gareth Bale Knocked Out Of Sunningdale Foursomes
The Solheim Cup stars made it through on Tuesday as five-time Champions League winner Gareth Bale lost on the final hole
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Charley Hull and Gareth Bale Among Star Names At Sunningdale Foursomes
Some big names are set to appear in the historic foursomes event for 2025, which has seen the likes of Luke Donald and Sam Torrance win previously
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Japanese Star Ties Course Record To Secure Blue Bay LPGA Title
Rio Takeda carded a closing eight-under 64 at the difficult Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course on Hainan Island, China to clinch her second LPGA Tour title
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Australian WPGA Championship Cancelled Ahead Of Gold Coast Cyclone
The Australian WPGA Championship has been cancelled due to the threat posed by Cyclone Alfred
By Mike Hall Published
-
Blue Bay LPGA Prize Money Payout 2025
The LPGA Tour heads to China, where Bailey Tardy defends her title as players compete for the largest purse of the season so far
By Mike Hall Published
-
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate Format, Which Teams Are Playing And How To Watch
The 13th Darius Rucker Intercollegiate takes place in South Carolina - here are some of the key details about the prestigious college golf tournament
By Mike Hall Published