Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul demonstrated her dominance at the CME Group Tour Championship, scoring nine birdies for the second consecutive day, which allowed her to record an impressive 64 (-8) and extend her lead to six strokes heading into the final round. Thitikul, currently the number one in women’s golf, is one step away from crowning a dream season on the LPGA Tour, and from taking a check for 4 million dollars. The Asian player has practically secured the LPGA Player of the Year award and the Vare Trophy, which is awarded to the lowest scoring average. In addition, she could set a new LPGA record depending on her performance in the final round. Nelly Korda shot a 65, but still lost ground, finishing six strokes behind Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn, who also carded a 65 on a warm and breezy day at Tiburon Golf Club. Thitikul is at 22 under par (196). The golfer won last year with a total of 22 under par, and made it clear that her work is not yet done.
After a bogey on the first hole, Thitikul reacted with four birdies in five holes, thus regaining her momentum. Then, she chained four consecutive birdies in the second half of the course to take control of the tournament. The final pair will be made up of the two best players in the world, but Thitikul’s superiority has been evident throughout the week.Trying to make birdies and birdies and birdies.
Jeeno Thitikul
In her 54 holes played, Thitikul has achieved 24 birdies, missing only five fairways and six greens before the final round. Korda doesn’t plan to change his strategy despite the six-shot deficit on Sunday.I was just trying to do the same thing. Trying to go for the fairway, trying to find the best we can to get close to the hole and then make the putt. Simple strategy.
Jeeno Thitikul
This is your last chance to avoid your second winless season in three years on the LPGA. The exception was last year, when she won seven times, including a second major. Anannarukarn, player number 60 and the last to qualify for the season-ending tournament, where the 60 participants have the opportunity to win the $4 million prize regardless of their ranking, achieved an eagle on the sixth hole and is making the most of this opportunity.You’re competing hard and trying to win, but you also have to not get ahead of yourself and play the game. Because if you start to get ahead of yourself a little bit and try too hard, those mistakes start to appear and it’s not going to be beneficial.
Nelly Korda
Sei Young Kim, who was part of the final group with Thitikul, had to settle for a 68, finishing seven strokes behind in fourth position. Gaby López, from Mexico, achieved the best round of the week, with a 62. Everything points to Thitikul, who has the opportunity to join Jin Young Ko, from South Korea, as the only consecutive winners of the CME Group Tour Championship.It’s great. Getting to this week I think was a good opportunity I had and with how I’ve been playing this season I’m very happy with how I’ve been playing. It’s incredible to see that the results are showing and moving in a good direction.
Pajaree Anannarukarn
