Jeeno Thitikul Crowned in Shanghai After an Epic Battle
SHANGHAI – Jeeno Thitikul staged a spectacular comeback to win the LPGA Shanghai, becoming the first player with two LPGA tournament victories this season. Thitikul, who started with a four-stroke deficit with five holes to go, forced a playoff against Minami Katsu. The Thai player showed her composure with an extraordinary shot on the fifth playoff hole to secure the victory. Thitikul’s round was the best of the day, with a card of 63 strokes, which included seven birdies and an eagle. This result, with a total of 24 under par (264 strokes), reduced the comfortable lead of Katsu, who was leading the competition. Katsu, despite starting the day with a two-stroke lead and extending it to four after the 13th hole, saw Thitikul close in with birdies on holes 14, 15, and 16. The tie came thanks to a spectacular eagle on the 17th hole. Katsu responded with a birdie on the 17th hole, but failed to convert another opportunity on the final hole, leading to a playoff.The first four playoff holes resulted in ties, with Katsu having two birdie opportunities that she failed to convert. On the fifth hole, Thitikul sealed the victory with a brilliant approach that left the ball three feet from the hole.
Thitikul’s victory comes after her triumph at the Mizuho Americas Open in May, and served to put behind the disappointment of a poor performance at the Kroger Queen City Championship.Minjee Lee, who won her third major title at the Women’s PGA Championship in June, signed a card of 68 strokes on Sunday, finishing in third place with 19 under par (269). Jenny Bae from the United States achieved a round of 69 strokes, tying for fourth place with Miyu Yamashita (67) of Japan and Somi Lee (69) of South Korea, with a total of 17 under par (271). Defending champion Ruoning Yin of China finished in 26th place with a final round of 68 strokes. The Shanghai event is the first of five tournaments in Asia. It will be followed by two weeks in South Korea, including the International Crown team event, and other tournaments in Malaysia and Japan.“What happened at the last event is still on my mind, but being able to prove myself again in this tournament is… like a dream come true and you know, I’m carrying nothing on my shoulders,” said Thitikul.
Jeeno Thitikul
