Jeeno Thitikul Claims LPGA Thailand Title with One-Stroke Victory at 24-Under

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul secured her eighth career title at the LPGA Thailand by finishing with a total score of 264.

Jeeno Thitikul secured her first home-soil victory at the LPGA Thailand in Chonburi, finishing the four-day event with a 24-under-par total of 264. The World No. 1 carded a final-round 4-under-par 68 to edge out Japan’s Chizzy Iwai by a single stroke. This triumph marks Thitikul’s eighth career LPGA Tour title, achieved approximately 125 kilometers east of Bangkok. The 23-year-old star maintained her composure under sweltering conditions to join Ariya Jutanugarn (2021) and Patty Tavatanakit (2024) as the only Thai winners in the history of the tournament.

Chizzy Iwai, currently ranked 19th in the world, finished as the runner-up with a cumulative score of 23-under-par 265. Iwai mounted a significant challenge during the final round, signing for a 6-under-par 66. Her surge was highlighted by a second eagle of the day on the par-5 10th hole, which briefly brought her level with the leader. However, the Japanese golfer failed to record any additional birdies over the closing stretch, ultimately falling short of the top spot.

Final Leaderboard and Scoring Breakdown

Korea’s Kim Hyo joo claimed third place on the leaderboard with a final-round 68, ending the week at 22-under-par 266. The world No. 9 was followed by her compatriot Lee Somi, who had held the lead after the opening round of play. Lee finished in fourth position alone with a total of 21-under-par 267. Former world No. 1 Lydia Ko posted a 68 on Sunday to finish at 20-under-par 268, placing her in a tie for fifth. Joining Ko at that mark was Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who delivered the lowest score of the final day with a 9-under-par 63.

Defending champion Angel Yin struggled to keep pace with the leaders during the final round, shooting a 70 to finish in a tie for 48th place. Yin’s tournament total of 5-under-par 283 left her 19 strokes behind Thitikul. The event served as the opening leg of the LPGA Tour’s early Asian swing, a three-week stretch that will continue with upcoming tournaments hosted in Singapore and China.

Emotional Milestone for Thitikul

Thitikul described the victory as an "A triple-plus" performance, noting that winning in her home country carried more personal weight than a major championship. This success came in her ninth appearance at the event, following eight previous attempts to secure the trophy. The presence of her mother provided a significant emotional backdrop to the win. After Thitikul completed the 18th hole, her mother met her on the green in tears, marking the first time she had witnessed her daughter win a professional tournament in person.

Thitikul’s ability to handle intense pressure from the home crowd was a defining factor of the final round. Despite the challenge from Iwai’s two eagles, the Thai golfer did not relinquish her lead. The victory solidifies her position at the top of the world rankings as the tour moves into the Singapore leg of the schedule.

Statistical Overview of the LPGA Thailand

The scoring at the Chonburi course remained consistently low throughout the week, evidenced by the 24-under-par winning benchmark. Thitikul’s consistency was key, as she avoided the late-round stumbles that affected other contenders. While Madsen’s 63 was the round of the day, the gap created by Thitikul over the first 54 holes proved insurmountable. The par-5 10th hole acted as a pivotal scoring opportunity, serving as the site of Iwai’s brief comeback before the Japanese challenger's momentum stalled on the final eight holes. Thitikul’s closing 68 ensured she remained the only player to reach the 264-stroke milestone, cementing her legacy as the third local player to lift the trophy in front of the Thai fans.