Thailand’s No. 1 Yupaporn Kawinpakorn has confirmed her participation in the Samsung Philippine Amateur Golf Championship, raring to get back at RP’s leading player in the country’s premier amateur event unfolding April 28 at the Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon.

Kawinpakorn, whom Chihiro Ikeda beat in a playoff for the individual gold medal in last year’s SEA Games in Laos, is set to arrive next week and hopes to get the next flight to Bukidnon early to familiarize herself with the layout, which offers a different kind of challenge for the competing field.

The Thai ace is coming off a bronze medal finish in the individual event of the recent Queen Sirikit Cup where she powered Thailand to fourth place, making her an early favorite to crowd the local bets, headed by Ikeda and fellow ICTSI teammates Lovelynn Guioguio, Sarah Ababa, Daniela Uy, Andrea Unson and Sun Choi for this year’s crown.

Two other Malaysian players have signified their intention to join the week-long event organized by National Golf Association of the Phils. and sponsored by Titleist, Mizuno, Crestlink, A Round of Golf, Wow Magic Sing and Inquirer Golf Monthly.

Meanwhile, registration for foreign players ends Monday, April 19 and Tuesday for the local entries. Entry fee is pegged at P2,500 or $75 for foreign entries.

For details, email clubhouse@delmonte-phil.com.