The 21-year-old from Thailand has a ready smile and a big-hitting golf game that could make her a superstar. She was the centre of attention when she returned to Asia for two recent tournaments.
Prior to her ANA success, when she brilliantly held off a charging Lydia Ko in some of the most exciting golf action of the year, Tavatanakit lived in the relative obscurity of life outside the world’s top 100.
Since winning that maiden major, she posted shares of third places in Singapore and Thailand before making the quarter-finals of last week’s LPGA Match Play at Shadow Creek. She is playing well.
But off course, Tavatanakit admits the reaction to her new status created a steep learning curve. “It was overwhelming to the point where I didn’t know that it was overwhelming,” she said at only her second tournament as a major champion in Singapore in April.
“Looking back, yeah, I was like really overwhelmed by the attention I got because I’m not really used to having to give so much energy to a lot of people, but I feel like going through that, I’m learning a little bit more.
“I tend to say ‘yes’ to someone who matters or like some more important stuff, which I told my agent and my manager that I don’t have enough energy to give to everyone.”
Few players know better than Popov the life changing impact of major success. When the 28-year-old German so emotionally won at Royal Troon, she was ranked 304 in the world.
Now she is the 16th-ranked player and one of the most quotable golfers in the game. Her story of battling back from the debilitating effects of Lyme disease, external to become a major champion is as compelling as they come.
Popov has become an inspiration to those fighting for a living on feeder tours, like she was prior to her stunning Troon triumph.
“I think that’s the greatest thing that a lot of the players have learned from my week, is that it can change at any moment,” she said.
“I think that was very important for a lot of them to see because I think that will help them not give up.”
Popov arrives at the US Women’s Open in fine form, having reached the final of the Match Play before losing out to champion Ally Ewing. Both, along with Tavatanakit, will be among those to watch at Olympic Club this week.
Naturally, the USGA is doing all it can to promote its event, including pairing the Korda sisters – Nelly and Jessica – for the first two rounds. The daughters of former tennis star Petr are ranked fourth and 11th in the world respectively.
They come from a family used to dealing with the spotlight and are expected to embrace the inevitable attention this week. But Osaka proves that top sports people are not all made the same.
Britain’s last major golf winner, Georgia Hall, who won the 2018 Women’s Open at Royal Lytham, tweeted her support for the Japanese tennis star.
“I have full respect for @naomiosaka voicing her struggles,” said the 25-year-old from Dorset. “What she has done for the game is incredible and such a fantastic role model.
“Mental health is far more important than an interview here or there and hopefully issues like this will be better resolved in the future.”
Those comments pertain to tennis, but they are just as telling for golf and especially during this week – the biggest week on the women’s calendar.