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

Jeeno Thitikul Closes a Successful Year with a Historic Triumph at the CME Group Tour Championship

Jeeno Thitikul capped off her best year in women’s golf with the most important victory of her career, securing a place in the annals of the LPGA by establishing the lowest scoring average in the history of the circuit. Although her performance on Sunday, with a four-stroke victory at the CME Group Tour Championship, seemed simple, Thitikul has traveled a challenging path. Two months ago, he suffered a closing with four putts that cost him the Kroger Queen City Championship.

“I had to put ice on my eyes because I cried a lot,” he commented.

Jeeno Thitikul

In addition, a wrist injury the previous week, caused by the firm ground in Dallas, left her wondering if she could complete the four rounds at Tiburon Golf Club for the season-ending event, let alone win. To aid her recovery, she reduced her practice sessions.

“At the beginning of the week, I was just hoping to be able to finish four rounds of golf here, it was already more than I could ask for,” he said. “But to be here on Sunday with the trophy, it’s more than I could really ask for, without a doubt.”

Jeeno Thitikul

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

With a six-stroke lead over Nelly Korda at the start of the final day at Tiburon Golf Club, Thitikul withstood the initial challenge from Pajaree Anannarukarn with consecutive birdies at the start of the second nine holes, finishing with a round of 68 strokes under par and securing her second consecutive title at the CME Group Tour Championship. This earned her another check for 4 million dollars, the biggest prize 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, against 68.697 for Sorenstam in 2002.

“I never dreamed of having that record,” he said. “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 lead remained at two strokes as they reached the second nine holes. However, Thitikul birdied holes 10 and 13, and 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, 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 a total of 26 under par, 262 strokes, joins 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 a big disadvantage starting the day six strokes behind and fell further behind with a bogey and no birdies on the first nine holes. He managed an eagle on the 11th hole and a round of 31 on the second nine, with a total of 68 strokes, 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 replied: “A challenge.” “I feel like there were a lot of ups and downs and that made me grow a lot mentally, and I would say that I am also very grateful for it because success is never linear,” she said.