Jeeno Thitikul Survives Scare To Claim Fourth Win
Jeeno Thitikul overcomes a late double bogey at the 16th to secure her fourth LPGA Tour victory of 2026, matching Nelly Korda's season total.
Celebrated Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul clinched her fourth victory on the LPGA Tour during the Lotte Championship at Hoakalei Country Club in Honolulu. Despite a critical mistake early in the final round, Thitikul demonstrated remarkable resilience and mental fortitude to secure her position among the top-ranked players in women's golf.
Starting the day with a three-stroke lead, Thitikul maintained her advantage through the front nine, but a par-four at the 16th hole proved to be her downfall. Driving into water on the par-four left her with a double bogey, dropping her to 19 under par. Her playing partner, Ina Yoon, made a strong push to close the gap. However, Thitikul's composure proved her advantage, as she birdied the 17th and then the 18th holes to clinch the win.
Thitikul's victory marks her 11th career win since joining the tour in 2022, tying her with fellow American Nelly Korda for the most titles in the current season. The 23-year-old Thai star showcased her exceptional mental strength, refusing to let her early setback define her performance. As reported by Golf Digest Middle East, Thitikul highlighted that her focus shifted to making birdies to counter Yoon's momentum.
This consistent performance is a defining trait of Thitikul's season, as she leads the tour with five consecutive top-10 finishes, with three of those coming in major championships. Her ability to recover from adversity and maintain her lead when others falter underscores her status as the most consistent player on the tour. The rivalry between Thitikul and Korda is set to be a focal point in the 2026 season, with Thitikul cementing her position as a top contender and a player to watch moving forward.
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