Thitikul Sets LPGA Record and Wins $4M at the CME Group Tour Championship

Jeeno Thitikul capped off her best year with the biggest award in women’s golf, securing her place in the LPGA record books with the lowest scoring average in the history of the circuit, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Despite the apparent ease with which she achieved victory at the CME Group Tour Championship with a four-stroke lead, Thitikul remembers that the path was not always easy. Two months ago, she suffered a frustrating finish with four putts at the Kroger Queen City Championship.

I put an ice pack on my eyes because I cried a lot.

Jeeno Thitikul

In addition, a wrist injury the previous week, caused by the firm ground in Dallas, made her doubt whether she could complete the four rounds at Tiburon Golf Club for the final event of the season, let alone win. To help, she reduced her practice sessions.

I think at the beginning of the week I was just thinking about being able to finish four rounds of golf here, it was already more than I could ask for. But to be here with the trophy on Sunday is more than I could really ask for, for sure.

Jeeno Thitikul

In the field, she proved to be as dominant as the number one in women’s golf.

With a six-stroke lead over Nelly Korda at the start of the final round at Tiburon Golf Club, Thitikul withstood the initial challenge from Pajaree Anannarukarn with two birdies at the start of the second half of the course and secured the title with a round of 68 strokes, four under par, and a second consecutive victory at the CME Group Tour Championship. This meant another check for $4 million, the largest in women’s golf, raising her season earnings to $7,578,300. That final birdie from 10 feet allowed her to break Annika Sorenstam’s scoring record by the narrowest margin: 68.681 for Thitikul, 68.697 for Sorenstam in 2002.

I never dreamed of having that record. And then, that it could be the lowest scoring average in my entire career, it’s really incredible.

Jeeno Thitikul

What I didn’t know was how close the competition was on Sunday. Anannarukarn, playing in the group ahead of her Thai compatriot, managed five birdies in seven holes at the beginning to reduce the difference to two strokes, which was maintained until the second half of the course. But then, Thitikul birdied the 10th and 13th holes, and Anannarukarn bogeyed the 12th hole. The lead went 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 chasing her. 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 with 26 under par, 262 strokes, 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, who started the day with a six-stroke deficit, fell further behind with a bogey and no birdies in the first nine holes. He managed an eagle on the 11th hole and a round of 31 in the second half for a 68, finishing in third place. Korda still has the Grant Thornton Invitational mixed teams and the PNC Championship with his father next month. When asked how he would describe the year, Korda said: “A challenge.”

I feel like there were a lot of ups and downs and it made me grow a lot mentally, and I would say that I am also very grateful for it because success is never linear.

Nelly Korda