Thitikul Comeback Wins LPGA Shanghai: Double Crown in the Season!

Jeeno Thitikul Conquers Shanghai with an Epic Comeback

Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul staged a spectacular comeback at the LPGA Shanghai, securing her second victory of the season and becoming the first player to win two LPGA tournaments this year. Thitikul, starting with a four-stroke deficit with five holes to go, forced a playoff with Minami Katsu and ultimately took the title with an extraordinary shot on the fifth playoff hole. Thitikul, world number one, delivered a card of 63 strokes, the best round of the day, including seven birdies and an eagle. Her impressive performance, with a total of 24 under par (264 strokes), reduced the advantage of Katsu, who led the competition from the start. Katsu, from Japan, had started the day with a two-stroke lead and extended it to four after the 13th hole. However, Thitikul reacted with birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16, and an incredible eagle on the 17th hole, tying the score.

What happened at the last event is still on my mind, but being able to prove myself again in this tournament is like a dream come true.

Jeeno Thitikul

Katsu managed a birdie on the 17th hole, but couldn’t avoid the playoff, as her birdie opportunity on the final hole didn’t materialize. In the first four playoff holes, both players tied with pars, with Katsu having two birdie opportunities that didn’t come to fruition. In the fifth playoff hole, Thitikul shone with an approach that left the ball three feet from the hole, while Katsu’s second shot fell short. Katsu missed her birdie attempt, leaving Thitikul the opportunity to secure the victory with a simple putt. This victory comes almost two years after Thitikul lost in an epic nine-hole playoff at the LPGA Malaysia. Previously, Thitikul had won the Mizuho Americas Open in May. Minjee Lee, winner of her third major title at the Women’s PGA Championship in June, finished in third place with a total of 19 under par (269 strokes) after a round of 68. Jenny Bae (USA) finished in a tie for fourth place with Miyu Yamashita (Japan) and Somi Lee (South Korea), with a total of 17 under par (271 strokes). The defending champion, Ruoning Yin of China, finished in 26th place. The Shanghai event is the first of five tournaments in Asia, followed by two weeks in South Korea, including the International Crown team event, and tournaments in Malaysia and Japan.