Jeeno Thitikul Conquers LPGA Shanghai in Thrilling Playoff
SHANGHAI – Jeeno Thitikul staged a spectacular comeback to win the LPGA Shanghai, becoming the first player to win two LPGA tournaments this season. Thitikul, who started the day four strokes behind the leader, Minami Katsu, forced a playoff and ultimately prevailed with an extraordinary shot on the fifth playoff hole. Thitikul’s round, with an impressive 63, was the best of the day, including seven birdies and an eagle. The Thai golfer, with a total of 24 under par (264), reduced the lead that seemed comfortable for Katsu, who had started the day two strokes ahead and extended her margin to four after the 13th hole. The Thai player reacted with birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16, and then achieved an incredible eagle on hole 17, tying the score. The ball bounced spectacularly on the green of the Qizhong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai. Katsu, with a round of 65, could only respond with a birdie on the 17th hole. He had another birdie opportunity on the final hole to secure the victory, but the ball didn’t go in, leading to the playoff.In the first four playoff holes, played on the 18th and 10th, both players made par. Katsu had two birdie opportunities to win, but narrowly missed on both occasions.
In the fifth playoff hole, Thitikul broke the tie with a brilliant approach that left the ball a meter from the hole, while Katsu’s second shot did not reach the green on the 18th hole, a par 4. Katsu’s chip for birdie was impressive, but it failed, leaving Thitikul a simple birdie putt to secure a remarkable victory, almost two years after losing in an epic nine-hole playoff against Celine Boutier at the LPGA Malaysia. This is Thitikul’s second victory of the season, after winning the Mizuho Americas Open in May, and helped to alleviate the disappointment of her inexplicable four-putt collapse on the final hole of the Kroger Queen City Championship last month.Minjee Lee, who won her third major title at the Women’s PGA Championship in June, shot a round of 68 on Sunday for a total of 19 under par (269), finishing in third place. Jenny Bae, from the United States, had a round of 69 and tied 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 shot a final round of 68 to finish in 26th place. The Shanghai event is the first of five tournaments in Asia. There will be two weeks in South Korea, including the International Crown team event, and 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 I carry nothing on my shoulders.
Jeeno Thitikul
