A year ago Thai teenager Pornanong Phatlum was teary-eyed after winning the Hong Kong Ladies Masters at the Jockey Club's Kau Sai Chau course. They were not tears of joy, but frustration, as she could not accept the US$12,000 winner's cheque because she was an amateur.
Then only 16 and the youngest player in the Ladies Asian Tour Golf event, it would have been a great payday for Pornanong.
Today she is back in Hong Kong for the Ladies Masters armed with her professional status, and eager to recoup what she forfeited last year.
'The past is history,' Pornanong said as she prepared for the US$80,000 three-round event, which will start at the Discovery Bay Golf Club today. 'I don't like to be reminded of it.
'Of course winning the title again this year will be more meaningful to me and being able to receive the winner's cheque. The fairways here are very forgiving, but the greens are a little slow. More importantly, my level of play is getting better.'
While Pornanong has a mission to accomplish, China's Zhang Na is also keen to live up to her hype. 'There has been a lot of publicity about me in China and also out of China. I believe it's time to get in on the winning act,' said the 25-year-old, who will play in Japan's Step-Up Tour this year.