2025 Asia Pacific All Stars team players Suvichaya V. (L) and Eila Galitsky (R) won US collegiate events
In a major boost for Asian Women’s golf, Thai golfers Eila Galitsky and Suvichaya ‘Hut’ Vinijchaitham, both key members of the Patsy Hankins Trophy-winning Asia-Pacific All Stars team this year alongside the Bonallack Trophy-winning Asia-Pacific men’s team that was captained by India’s Rishi Narain, have won their first collegiate tournaments in the United States.
This early success by the Asian All-Star teenagers, who chose College golf over Pro golf this year, should inspire Indian and other Asian girls to head to US colleges as it is the preferred route for most LPGA stars.
Competing in only her second tournament for the University of South Carolina, 18-year-old Galitsky clinched the Moon Golf Invitational title in Melbourne, Florida. She bested World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) number one Lottie Woad in a sudden-death playoff for the second time in two months, having previously beaten her in their singles match at the Patsy Hankins Trophy at UAE in January.
Galitsky previously considered turning professional after her 2023 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) Championship win, but decided on collegiate golf after seeking advice from experienced players. “Most of those who didn’t go to college wished they had, and those who did never regretted it. So I thought, why not try? If I hate it, I’ll turn pro. If I love it, I’ll stay,” she told Golf Channel. Her victory elevates her to 18th in the WAGR rankings, just ahead of fellow Thai and Patsy Hankins Trophy teammate, Vinijchaitham.
Vinijchaitham, a University of Oregon freshman, also claimed her first collegiate title with a 2-stroke victory at the Alice and John Wallace Women’s Golf Classic in Palm Desert, California, held from February 15-17.
Galitsky’s and Vinijchaitham’s maiden collegiate wins add to a successful ongoing year for the Asia-Pacific region in amateur golf, with both players expected to make further strides in the collegiate circuit and beyond.
