Jeeno Thitikul Closes a Successful Year with Victory and Record on the LPGA
Jeeno Thitikul capped off her best year in women’s golf with the most lucrative victory and a place in the LPGA record books, setting the lowest scoring average in the history of the circuit. Despite the apparent ease with which she won on Sunday at the CME Group Tour Championship, with a four-stroke lead, Thitikul remembers that the path was not always easy. Two months ago, a finish with four putts cost her the title at the Kroger Queen City Championship.In addition, a wrist injury suffered the previous week, on the firm surface of Dallas, made her doubt whether she could complete the four rounds at Tiburon Golf Club, much less win. To recover, she reduced her practice sessions.“I put ice on my eyes because I cried a lot,” she said.
Jeeno Thitikul
In the field, she proved to be the number one player in women’s golf.“I think at the start of the week I was just thinking I could get through four rounds of golf here, that was more than I could ask for,” he said. “But to be here on Sunday with the trophy is more than I could really ask for, for sure.”
Jeeno Thitikul
What I didn’t know was how close the competition was on Sunday. Anannarukarn, playing in the group ahead of the Thai player, achieved five birdies in seven holes at the beginning to reduce the difference to two strokes. The advantage remained at two strokes when reaching the second round. But Thitikul birdied holes 10 and 13, and Anannarukarn faltered on the par-3 12th hole. The lead was back to five strokes and Thitikul had the victory secured. She didn’t look at the leaderboard until she reached the 17th hole, unaware that her Thai friend was hot on her heels. Thitikul raised both arms when the last birdie fell, and shortly after she was soaked with champagne on the 18th hole green. Thitikul, who finished at 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 because 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, with an initial six-stroke deficit, fell back even further with a bogey and no birdies on the front nine. She managed an eagle on the 11th hole and a second-nine round of 31 for a 68 and finished third. Korda still has the Grant Thornton Invitational mixed-team event and the PNC Championship with her father next month. When asked how he would describe the year, Korda replied: “A challenge.” “I feel like there were a lot of ups and downs and that made me grow a lot mentally, and I would say that I am also very grateful because success is never linear,” she said.“I never dreamed of having that record,” he said. “And to be able to have the lowest scoring average in my entire career is truly incredible.”
Jeeno Thitikul
