Thai sensation Jeeno Thitikul took the $4 million winner’s prize in the season-ending LPGA CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Florida, courtesy of a sensational final round seven-under-par 65.
The Tour title came down to the final putt on the last green for the 21-year-old, who finished in style with an eagle on 17, followed by holing a pressure-packed birdie putt at 18, having hit a beautiful approach shot into just a few feet..
“I really needed a birdie on 17 to give me a good chance, but having an eagle, it was more than I can ask for,” Thitikul told reporters in her post-victory press conference. “Hitting a really good second shot on 18 and to hole the putt, it’s like all the hard work that I’ve done has just paid off.”
Angel Yin takes the runners-up spoils
Thitikul had shared the overnight lead with American Angel Yin on 15-under-par. However, an unforced error by Yin on the 17th green, missing a short putt under pressure, ultimately cost her the chance of a play-off tie. Instead, she walked away with $1m for finishing as the runner-up.
21-year-old Jeeno Thitikul is a Thai golf sensation
The Tour Championship is Thitikul’s second LPGA career title. She also won earlier this year at the Dow Championship with playing partner Ruoning Yin.
Another top-five finish for LPGA Tour Player of the Year Nelly Korda
LPGA Tour Player of the Year Nelly Korda finished the tournament tied fifth, after posting a 15-under-par tournament total, concluding what has been a historic season. The 26-year-old won seven times on the LPGA Tour in 2024.
An emotional goodbye from Lexi Thompson
It was an emotional afternoon for several high-profile LPGA Tour players, including Lexi Thompson, playing in her last event as a full-time LPGA Tour player. Thompson announced her retirement from playing full-time golf at the start of 2024, stating that she wanted to take a step back from her career to focus on spending time with her family in 2025.
$11 million purse to end the LPGA Tour season
The CME Group Tour Championship saw the top-60 players in the LPGA Race to CME Globe battle for a share of $11 million.
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