NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Jeeno Thitikul from the nation of Thailand concluded her outstanding year with the most substantial monetary reward in women’s golfing history, successfully defending against an initial challenge presented by Pajaree Anannarukarn and completing the tournament with a score of 4-under 68. This secured her victory at the CME Group Tour Championship on Sunday, accompanied by a $4 million prize.
Thitikul achieved her third triumph of the year on the LPGA Tour, and her concluding birdie on the last hole at Tiburon Golf Club established a new record for the lowest scoring average in the tour’s existence.
The outcome was largely anticipated, given that Thitikul commenced the event with a six-stroke advantage over Nelly Korda, the American golfer whom she had surpassed to claim the No. 1 position in the women’s global ranking earlier in the year.
Nevertheless, Anannarukarn introduced a competitive element by achieving five birdies within seven holes, narrowing the gap to within two strokes as they approached the back nine. Thitikul responded by securing birdies on the 10th and 13th holes, while her fellow Thai competitor incurred a shot on the par-3 12th, effectively restoring the lead to a five-shot margin.
From that juncture, the objective became reaching the finish line and being showered with celebratory beverages on the 18th green. She now shares the distinction with Jin Young Ko as the exclusive repeat victors of the CME Group Tour Championship.
Thitikul concluded the tournament with a score of 26-under 262, securing a four-stroke margin of victory.
This victory definitively confirmed her recognition as the LPGA Player of the Year and ensured her claim to the Vare Trophy, awarded for achieving the lowest scoring average, representing the two most esteemed accolades in women’s golf.
Korda is now the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2010 to transition from a season marked by seven victories to a subsequent year devoid of any wins.
