World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul wins home LPGA Thailand for 1st time - ESPN
ESPN
February 22, 2026
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World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul secured a historic victory at the LPGA Thailand tournament, winning her first home event after eight previous attempts. The Thai star triumphed by one stroke over Japan's Chizzy Iwai, finishing with a strong closing round of 4-under-par 68 to post a final score of 24-under-par 264. This marked her eighth LPGA Tour title and a special milestone as she became the third Thai golfer to win the event, following Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty Tavatanakit in 2024.
Thitikul's victory was particularly emotional, as her mother watched her compete for the first time since her previous attempts. She expressed how winning in front of her family and fans meant more to her than other victories, calling it a "triple-plus" achievement. The young golfer showcased remarkable composure under intense pressure, earning cheers from her home crowd despite sweltering conditions.
Iwai, ranked World No. 19, put up a strong challenge, including an eagle on the par-5 10th hole, but fell short with a final-round score of 66. Thitikul's consistent performance throughout the tournament highlighted her ability to manage pressure, solidifying her place as a leading figure in women's golf. Meanwhile, Kim Hyo Joo of
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/22/2026