Thitikul Sets LPGA Record and Wins Final with Million-Dollar Payout

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 secured victory at the CME Group Tour Championship with a four-stroke lead on Sunday, Thitikul remembers that the path was not always easy. Two months ago, she suffered a frustrating finish at the Kroger Queen City Championship, with four putts costing her the victory.

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

Jeeno Thitikul

In addition, a wrist injury suffered the previous week, due to 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. She had to reduce her practice sessions to recover.

I thought being able to finish four rounds of golf here was more than I could ask for. But being here on Sunday with the trophy is more than I could really ask for.

Jeeno Thitikul

In the field, Thitikul demonstrated her dominance 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, making birdies on the first holes of the second round and securing the title with a 68 under par and her second consecutive victory at the CME Group Tour Championship. This earned her another check for $4 million, the largest in women’s golf, bringing her season earnings to $7,578,300. The final birdie from 10 feet allowed her to surpass Annika Sorenstam’s scoring record by a minimal margin: 68.681 for Thitikul, against 68.697 for Sorenstam in 2002.

I never dreamed of having that record. And that I can have the lowest scoring average in my entire career is truly incredible.

Jeeno Thitikul

What I didn’t know was how close the competition was on Sunday. Anannarukarn, playing in the previous group, achieved five birdies in seven holes at the beginning, reducing the difference to two strokes. The advantage remained at two strokes when reaching the second round. However, Thitikul birdied holes 10 and 13, while Anannarukarn made a mistake on the 12th hole, a par 3. The lead went back to five strokes and Thitikul secured the victory. She didn’t look at the leaderboard until she reached the 17th hole, a par 5, not knowing that her Thai compatriot was breathing down her neck. Thitikul raised both arms at the end of the birdie, and was soon sprayed with champagne on the 18th hole green. Thitikul, who finished with a total of 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, as Women’s Open champion Miyu Yamashita would have had to win. Korda, who was displaced by Thitikul from 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 made an eagle on the 11th hole and scored 31 on the second round, finishing with a 68 and placing third. 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 I’m also very grateful for it because success is never linear.

Nelly Korda