Pornanong Phatlum is now a veteran on the LPGA Tour

Since turning pro in 2009 this likable Thai, known to her fans simply as Khun Waen, has amassed over US$4,354,337 Million in prize money on the LPGA Tour.

In anyone’s book that is a huge amount, and she has always had the support of many top-class sponsors as well, especially as she was one of the first Thais to join the LPGA Tour.

Only 5’3” she started playing golf at the age of nine and credits her father as the individual most influencing her career.

Although she did win the HSBC LPGA Brazil Cup back in 2012, it was an unofficial event on the LPGA Tour, so she still has not actually won an official LPGA event.

Phatlum still has multiple career top 10s and 17 worldwide victories

She nearly came close in 2016 to grabbing a trophy at Sentosa Singapore at the HSBC Champions, known as Asia’s major. 

Ha Na Yang played a superb round to win and Pornanong eventually came second earning US$142,000.

She said afterwards, ‘Singapore 2016 at Sentosa was perhaps one of my best rounds, especially on the Sunday when my short game was great!’ 

Pornanong who is well known for playing a Volvik S4 pink golf ball, led the 2018 Ricoh Women’s British Open, contested at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s Golf Club, in Lancashire, England, throughout the first three rounds and through the 15th hole on the final round. 

Against massive pressure and a very partisan British crowd over the final few holes, she eventually lost out to local favourite Georgie Hall.

Pornanong still exhibited great precision, composure and mastery on the historic 72-hole layout, finishing second with a total score of 15-under-par 273.

She also did represent Thailand in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil finishing a very creditable T25, so she has had a lot of career highs.

Waen Fans

Khun Waen still has a dedicated army of fans, and although by her standards she is having a fairly lacklustre 2022 season, with three missed cuts out of seven events, she is still staying positive.

When she is playing in the States she tends to stay with her aunt in Virginia, and in between breaks flies back to be with her family in Bangkok. 

She loves to eat and is often seen with her Thai girlfriends enjoying Karaoke too!

She is well known for her colourful nature on the course, as she is sponsored by Loudmouth and Volvik.

She has been wearing Loudmouth for a few years and always has her caddie wearing matching shorts. 

She is also sponsored by Thai Airways which naturally helps with her travelling expenses.

Although her English to start with was limited, Pornanong is also one of the media’s favourites and always agrees to TV interviews with her infectious smile 

It would be fair to say that of all the players on the LPGA Tour, Khun Waen is perhaps the biggest earner not to have won yet.

However, everyone from players to officials would love to see her lift a trophy in 2022.