Playing in front of a passionate home crowd and carrying the weight of world No.1 expectations, Jeeno Thitikul produced a composed final-round performance to win the LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Thai star held off a late charge from Japan’s Chizzy Iwai, closing with a four-under-par 68 to finish at 24-under 264, sealing victory by a single stroke in sweltering conditions.
The triumph marked Thitikul’s eighth LPGA Tour title and carried special significance as it was her first win on home soil, achieved after eight previous attempts at the event. Despite already boasting one of the most decorated resumes on the LPGA Tour, Thitikul admitted this win ranked among the most meaningful of her career.
“I would rate it A triple-plus,” she said after the round. “It’s not as big as a major, but winning in my home country means so much to me, sometimes even more than a major.” Adding to the emotional weight was the presence of her mother, who watched her lift the trophy in person for the first time at the tournament.
“My mom came up to me after I finished 18 and she cried a lot,” Thitikul said. “I told her I finally won in front of you. She was emotional, and that made me emotional too.”
With the win, Thitikul became the third Thai golfer to claim the title, following Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty Tavatanakit in 2024, reinforcing Thailand’s growing influence on the women’s professional circuit.
World No.19 Iwai mounted a serious challenge during the final round, briefly drawing level with Thitikul after sinking her second eagle of the day on the par-five 10th hole. However, she was unable to add another birdie and signed for a six-under 66, finishing runner-up at 23-under 265. South Korea’s Kim Hyo-joo posted a 68 to secure third place on 22-under 266, while compatriot Lee Somi, the opening-round leader, finished fourth at 21-under 267.
Former world No.1 Lydia Ko also closed with a 68 to tie for fifth alongside Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who fired the lowest round of the day: a brilliant nine-under 63, as both ended the tournament on 20-under 268. Defending champion Angel Yin struggled to find momentum, shooting a 70 to finish tied 48th at five-under 283.
For Thitikul, the victory not only reinforced her position at the top of the world rankings but also delivered a deeply personal moment, one shaped by patience, home pride, and the joy of finally winning where it mattered most.
