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

Jeeno Thitikul capped off an exceptional year with the most significant triumph in women’s golf, etching her name in the annals of the LPGA by establishing the lowest scoring average in the 75-year history of the circuit. Although her victory at the CME Group Tour Championship seemed simple, 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.

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

Jeeno Thitikul

In addition, a wrist injury sustained the previous week, at her home in Dallas, made her doubt whether she could complete the four rounds at Tiburon Golf Club, let alone win. Therefore, she reduced her practice sessions to take care of herself.

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, Thitikul demonstrated the dominance of the number one in women’s golf.

With a six-stroke lead over Nelly Korda to start the final round at Tiburon Golf Club, Thitikul withstood the initial challenge from Pajaree Anannarukarn with consecutive birdies early in the second part of the course, securing the victory with a score of 68 strokes, four under par, and revalidating her title at the CME Group Tour Championship. This meant another check for $4 million, the biggest prize 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 narrow margin: 68.681 for Thitikul, against Sorenstam’s 68.697 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 group ahead of her Thai compatriot, managed five birdies in seven holes at the start, reducing the difference to two strokes. The advantage remained at two strokes when reaching the second part of the course. However, Thitikul birdied holes 10 and 13, and Anannarukarn faltered on the par-3 12th. The lead returned to five strokes, and Thitikul had the victory secured. She didn’t consult the leaderboard until reaching 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 was soaked 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 because Women’s Open champion Miyu Yamashita would have needed to win. Korda, relegated to second place by Thitikul in the women’s ranking, 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 achieved an eagle on the 11th hole and a round of 31 in the second part of the course, finishing with 68 strokes and placing third. Korda still has the Grant Thornton Invitational, a mixed-team tournament, and the PNC Championship with his 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 it made me grow a lot mentally, and I would say that I am also very grateful because success is never linear.

Nelly Korda