Golf Mar 31, 2026

Jeeno Thitikul: World No 1 wins home LPGA Thailand tournament for first time

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Jeeno Thitikul: World No 1 wins home LPGA Thailand tournament for first time

World No 1 Jeeno Thitikul justified her top billing in emphatic fashion after edging Japan's Chizzy Iwai by one stroke to claim her home LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time.

The Thai star kept her composure under sweltering conditions and intense pressure to card a closing four-under-par 68, finishing on 24 under.

The victory marked her eighth LPGA Tour title and her first triumph on home soil.

England's Lottie Woad finished tied-15th on 15 under.

"I would rate it A triple-plus," said the 23-year-old Thitikul. "I know it's not as big as the majors, but winning in my home country means so much to me - sometimes even more than a major."

Thitikul became the third Thai winner of the tournament, following Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty Tavatanakit in 2024.

The win was made even more special with her mother watching in person after the Thai had made eight previous attempts at the event.

"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."

World No 19 Iwai mounted a strong challenge, drawing level briefly after rolling in her second eagle of the day on the par-five 10th.

However, the Japanese added no further birdies and signed for a 66 to finish runner-up on 23-under-par 265. Korea's Hyo Joo Kim, the world No 9, posted a 68 to take third at 22 under, while compatriot Lee Somi, the opening-round leader, finished fourth on 21 under.

Former world No 1 Lydia Ko carded a 68 to tie for fifth alongside Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who produced the lowest round of the day with a scintillating 63 as both ended the week on 20 under.

Defending champion Angel Yin shot 70 and was in a tie for 48th at five-under 283.

The tournament about 125km (75 miles) east of Bangkok was the first of three events in Asia in consecutive weeks, to be followed by those in Singapore and China in the early Asian swing on the LPGA Tour.

Watch the LET and LPGA Tours, majors and more throughout the season live on Your Site Golf. or .

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

Solheim Cup - Anna Nordqvist captain's column: Early Team Europe decisions and why excitement is building ahead of 2026 contest

Solheim Cup - Anna Nordqvist captain's column: Early Team Europe decisions and why excitement is building ahead of 2026 contest

Welcome to my first blog, called Captain's Corner! This year, you can follow my journey as the European Solheim Cup Captain all the way up to the bien...

Women's World Championship: Charley Hull ready for first major in 2026 after near misses with eyes on world No 1 spot

Women's World Championship: Charley Hull ready for first major in 2026 after near misses with eyes on world No 1 spot

Charley Hull says she is ready to win a major in 2026 with the Englishwoman set for the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore this week.Hull mo...

Tyrrell Hatton among eight DP World Tour members allowed to play in conflicting LIV Golf tournaments - but not Jon Rahm

Tyrrell Hatton among eight DP World Tour members allowed to play in conflicting LIV Golf tournaments - but not Jon Rahm

Tyrrell Hatton is among eight DP World Tour members to have been granted permission to play in conflicting tournaments on the LIV Golf circuit in 2026...

Genesis Invitational: Jacob Bridgeman holds off Rory McIlroy to claim maiden PGA Tour victory by one shot

Genesis Invitational: Jacob Bridgeman holds off Rory McIlroy to claim maiden PGA Tour victory by one shot

Jacob Bridgeman held off Rory McIlroy to claim his maiden PGA Tour victory at The Genesis Invitational as the American won by just one shot having led...

Casey Jarvis wins first DP World Tour title at Kenya Open as England's Nathan Kimsey finishes tied fifth

Casey Jarvis wins first DP World Tour title at Kenya Open as England's Nathan Kimsey finishes tied fifth

South African golfer Casey Jarvis won the Kenya Open by three shots on Sunday to clinch his first title on the DP World Tour.Jarvis, ranked 195th in t...

Rich Beem on Tiger Woods' playing return at The Masters and possible Ryder Cup captaincy in Adare Manor, in County Limerick

Rich Beem on Tiger Woods' playing return at The Masters and possible Ryder Cup captaincy in Adare Manor, in County Limerick

After Tiger Woods teased golf fans by dropping a hint that he could make a stunning return at the Masters, Rich Beem dismissed the idea, saying: "you...