By: Max Bechtoldt
I think it is fair to now include Thailand’s Channettee Wannasaen in the conversation for the most promising young stars on the LPGA Tour after her impressive victory at the 2024 Dana Open.
The Dana Open didn’t necessarily have the strongest strength of field of the season, but the stars that did play showed up, making the task of winning that much harder for the 20-year-old Wannasaen.
Wannasaen played clean golf all weekend, playing all four rounds at 67 or better and making just five birdies in total. While her ball-striking was solid, particularly on Saturday when she hit 12 fairways, 16 greens and was averaging 271 yards off the tee, it was the short game that carried her.
Wannasaen had three days with 25 or less putts, allowing her to scramble well. Out of the sand, she was perfect going 7/7 on saves throughout the week.
Finishing in the top 10 were a host of great players, like defending champion Linn Grant in third, 2023 LPGA Rookie of the Year Haeran Ryu in second, and world No. 15 Xiyu Lin in the top five.
This win marked the second title for Wannasaen in her brief LPGA Tour career, after the 2023 Portland Classic, which she will attempt to defend in a couple weeks. She is quietly putting together a strong season, with now three top-10 finishes. She has placed in the top 20 in her last three starts and now ranks No. 14 in the Race to the CME Globe standings.
