Jeeno Thitikul breaks records in LPGA: Victory and millionaire prize

In Naples, Florida, Jeeno Thitikul capped off her best year with the biggest prize in women’s golf, solidifying her place in the LPGA record books with the lowest scoring average in the history of the tour, in its 75 years of existence. Despite the apparent ease with which she achieved victory at the CME Group Tour Championship, with a four-stroke lead, Thitikul remembers that the path was not always easy. Two months ago, he suffered a frustrating finish with four putts, which cost him the Kroger Queen City Championship.

I had an ice pack on my eyes because I cried a lot.

Jeeno Thitikul

In addition, a wrist injury the previous week, due to the firm ground in Dallas, made her doubt whether she could complete the four rounds at Tiburon Golf Club, in the final event of the season, let alone win. This forced her to reduce her practice sessions.

I think at the beginning of the week I was just saying that being able to finish four rounds of golf here was more than I could ask for. But to be here with the trophy on Sunday is more than I could really ask for, for sure.

Jeeno Thitikul

In the field, she proved to be as dominant as the number one in women’s golf.

With a six-stroke lead over Nelly Korda to start the final round at Tiburon Golf Club, Thitikul withstood the initial challenge from Pajaree Anannarukarn with two birdies at the start of the final nine holes, securing the victory with a 68 under par and a second consecutive title at the CME Group Tour Championship.

This earned her another check for $4 million, the largest in women’s golf, bringing her season earnings to $7,578,300. Her final birdie from ten feet allowed her to break Annika Sorenstam’s scoring record by the narrowest margin: 68.681 for Thitikul, against 68.697 for Sorenstam in 2002.

I never dreamed of having that record. And that I can have the lowest scoring average in my entire career is truly incredible.

Jeeno Thitikul

What I didn’t know was how close the competition was on Sunday. Anannarukarn, playing in the group ahead of her Thai compatriot, managed five birdies in seven holes at the beginning to reduce the difference to two strokes. The lead remained at two strokes heading into the final nine holes. But Thitikul birdied the 10th and 13th holes, while Anannarukarn faltered on the par-3 12th hole. The lead extended to five strokes, and Thitikul secured her victory. She didn’t look at the leaderboard until she reached the 17th hole, unaware that her Thai friend was chasing her. Thitikul raised both arms when the last birdie fell, and was soon sprayed with champagne on the 18th hole green. Thitikul, who finished with a score of 26 under par, 262, joined Jin Young Ko as the only consecutive winners of the CME Group Tour Championship. The victory also secured her the LPGA Player of the Year award, a result that was already decided, as Women’s Open champion Miyu Yamashita would have had to win. Korda, replaced by Thitikul at number 1 in women’s golf, became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2010 to go from seven wins in a season to none in the following one. Korda, who started the day six strokes back, fell further behind with a bogey and no birdies in the first nine holes. She made an eagle on the 11th hole and scored 31 in the final nine holes, for a 68 and finished third. Korda still has the Grant Thornton Invitational mixed teams and the PNC Championship with her father next month. When asked how he described the year, Korda said: “A challenge”.

I feel like there were a lot of ups and downs and it made me grow a lot mentally, and I would say that I am also very grateful because success is never linear.

Nelly Korda