Jeeno Thitikul Conquers Shanghai with an Epic Comeback
Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul staged a spectacular comeback at the LPGA Shanghai, securing her second victory of the season and becoming the first player to achieve it this year. Thitikul, who started the day four strokes behind the leader, Minami Katsu, demonstrated an impressive ability to react in the final holes of the tournament. With a round of 63 strokes, the best of the day, which included seven birdies and an eagle, the Thai golfer reduced the lead of Katsu, who had maintained a comfortable position for much of the day. Thitikul’s pressure intensified with birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16, and a spectacular eagle on hole 17, which brought her to a tie with Katsu. Katsu, despite responding with a birdie on the 17th hole, couldn’t avoid the tiebreaker after missing a crucial putt on the final hole. The tiebreaker, which extended over five holes, maintained the tension until Thitikul, with a brilliant approach, left the ball just three feet from the hole on the fifth hole. Katsu, for his part, failed to get close, allowing Thitikul to secure the victory with a birdie.This victory marks Thitikul’s second triumph of the season, after her victory at the Mizuho Americas Open in May, and comes as a relief after her disappointing performance at the Kroger Queen City Championship last month. Minjee Lee, winner of her third major title at the Women’s PGA Championship in June, finished in third place. The event in Shanghai is the first of five tournaments in Asia.“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’m not carrying anything on my shoulders,” said Thitikul.
Jeeno Thitikul
