Jeeno Thitikul has made history as the winner of the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship, sealing her place as one of the most exciting young talents on the LPGA Tour. On November 24, 2024, at Tiburón Golf Club located in Naples, Florida, the 21-year-old golfer from Thailand took the prestigious title amid intense competition, demonstrating remarkable skill and composure.
Entering the final round tied with American golfer Angel Yin at 15-under par, Thitikul showcased her prowess with aggressive play right from the start. She birdied the first hole, setting the tone for the day as she surged to the forefront of the leaderboard. After progressing to 17-under with another birdie on the third hole, she faced challenges with a bogey on the fourth, trimming her lead to just one stroke.
The tension escalated throughout the round, as Yin responded with birdies of her own, momentarily establishing a two-shot advantage at 19-under. Yet, Thitikul proved resilient. She countered with birdies on the 13th and 14th holes, keeping within one stroke of the lead. The climax of the championship came on the 17th hole, where Thitikul delivered an eagle, tying the match at 21-under and setting the stage for the final hole.
Making the decisive move, Thitikul's aggressive play on the 18th hole resulted in her hitting her approach shot to within five feet of the flag. With Yin on the fringe and unable to capitalize on her long birdie attempt, Thitikul completed the winning birdie putt to finish the tournament at 22-under par. "I don’t know what happened to me on 17 and 18," she stated after her triumph, expressing genuine surprise and elation at her final holes. "Having eagle was more than I could ask for, and making the birdie putt on 18 was just incredible. All the hard work has finally paid off."
This victory marked Thitikul's fourth win on the LPGA Tour, and her second victory of the 2024 season. With this triumph, she not only earned the coveted championship title but also took home a monumental prize purse of $4 million. This payout is now recognized as the largest winning amount ever awarded to any female golfer, breaking the longstanding record previously set by Lorena Ochoa.
The total purse for the CME Group Tour Championship stood at $11 million, reinforcing the growing financial commitment to women’s golf. This victory pushed her season earnings beyond $6 million, cementing her as the highest earner on the tour, leaving behind other top competitors like Nelly Korda, who finished with $4.3 million after placing fifth at the championship.
Thitikul's incredible performance not only elevates her status within professional golf but also highlights the increasing visibility and success of Thai golfers on the international stage. This win aligns her alongside other Thai victories, with this being the sixth LPGA title secured by Thai players this season.
Reflecting on her season, Thitikul was also awarded the Aon Risk Reward Challenge, contributing another $1 million to her earnings. Her path to success has been characterized not just by her victories but also by her consistent performance throughout the year, underscoring her position among the top players on the tour.
After such an intense and fulfilling season, Thitikul plans to take some time off to celebrate her achievements. She anticipates enjoying her victory not just by spending time with family and friends but also by treating herself to activities like visiting Disneyland, as she humorously noted, "I’m going to Disneyland next week." The golfer indicated she has plans to splurge with her newfound earnings but also wants to set aside some for her parents, reflecting her grounded personality.
The Grand Thornton Invitational, set to commence on December 9, will mark Thitikul's next appearance, where she is scheduled to team up with PGA golfer Tom Kim. The tournament promises excitement, with Thitikul aiming to continue her formidable performance on the course as she partners with Kim to challenge last year’s champions Jason Day and Lydia Ko.
Thitikul expressed optimism about the upcoming event and the competition it will bring. "It’s exciting to be part of such extraordinary events, and I look forward to what we will face together as partners," she stated. This spirit of collaboration and striving for excellence is what makes Thitikul one of the most promising figures on the LPGA circuit, and fans are eager to see how she fares as she catapults forward, energized by her latest victory.
Thitikul's incredible win at the CME Group Tour Championship signifies not only her personal achievements but also the broader growth of women's golf, drawing attention to the high caliber and competitiveness of female athletes within the sport.
