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

Jeeno Thitikul capped off her best year with the biggest reward in women’s golf, securing her place in the LPGA record books with the lowest scoring average in the tour’s 75-year history. 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, he suffered a final with four putts that cost him the Kroger Queen City Championship.

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

Jeeno Thitikul

In addition, a wrist injury, suffered the previous week 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 recover, 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 on Sunday with the trophy is more than I could really ask for.

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 to start the final round at Tiburon Golf Club, Thitikul withstood the initial challenge from Pajaree Anannarukarn with several birdies at the start of the second round and secured her victory with a score of 68 strokes under par and a second consecutive title at the CME Group Tour Championship. This meant another check for $4 million, the most in women’s golf, raising her season earnings to $7,578,300. The final birdie from 10 feet allowed her to break Annika Sorenstam’s scoring record by the narrowest margin: 68.681 for Thitikul, versus 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 round. But then, Thitikul birdied holes 10 and 13, and Anannarukarn faltered on the par-3 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 par-5 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 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, as 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. He faced big challenges starting the day six strokes behind and fell further behind with a bogey and no birdies on the front nine. He managed an eagle on the 11th hole and a round of 31 on the back nine for a 68 and finished 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 that I am also very grateful for it because success is never linear.

Nelly Korda