Jeeno Thitikul leads the CME Group Tour Championship with an impressive performance
NAPLES, Fla. – Jeeno Thitikul proved her worth as the number one in women’s golf by recording an impressive round at the CME Group Tour Championship. With a score of 63 strokes, nine under par, the Thai star positions herself as the leader with a three-stroke lead, heading towards a possible victory and a prize of 4 million dollars. Thitikul’s performance included a birdie on each hole, a remarkable achievement that solidified her at the top of the rankings. Her impeccable game puts her in a favorable position to secure the top prize and possibly the LPGA Player of the Year award. Nelly Korda, who was displaced by Thitikul in the world ranking at the beginning of this year, achieved a 64, which placed her in a prominent position in the table. Korda is five strokes behind the leader, still with possibilities of obtaining her first victory of the year. Thitikul displayed a dominant game, with a streak of four consecutive birdies around the 9th hole and six birdies in a span of eight holes. Her playing partner, Sei Young Kim, did her best to keep up, achieving six birdies in the last nine holes and recording a 66.Somi Lee, who started the tournament with a 64, had a bogey on the first par 5 hole and couldn’t keep up the pace. Despite two birdies in the last five holes, she finished with 70 strokes, four behind the leader, along with Nasa Hataoka (67). Thitikul’s game stood out, while Kim tried to keep up. Both players birdied all but two holes in the last 11 holes. Thitikul leads in the ranking for the LPGA Player of the Year award. The only player who could surpass her is Miyuu Yamashita of Japan, who achieved a 69 and is nine strokes behind the leader. Korda, who has not yet won this year, had a slow start to the tournament, but managed several birdies in the second round. Now, she is five strokes behind Thitikul, who is proving her worth as the best female golfer. Thitikul started her birdie streak with two 10-foot putts on holes eight and nine. Then, she placed her ball close to the hole on hole 10 and on hole 11, the most difficult on the course, leaving her 5 feet from the hole. Seven players are five strokes behind Thitikul, including Brooke Henderson and Minjee Lee. The winner will take home a prize of 4 million dollars. Thitikul acknowledges the need to continue with birdies to secure the victory.“Better than yesterday, for sure,” Thitikul commented with a smile. “I have no complaints, no bogeys and nine birdies. I’ll take it.”
Jeeno Thitikul
