Jeeno Thitikul made waves on November 24, 2024, by winning the CME Group Tour Championship and taking home the largest prize in women's golf history—a whopping $4 million. This monumental achievement not only showcased her prowess but also highlighted the record-setting $11 million purse at the event, marking the culmination of the 2024 LPGA season.
Thitikul had entered the final day of competition trailing Angel Yin by two strokes. With everything on the line—including the largest payday ever offered to any female golfer—she kept her calm and cranked up her game. By the end of the day, she had matched Yin’s score of 22 under, leading to the most thrilling moments of the tournament.
The course at Tiburon Golf Club was set for fireworks, and the participants delivered. Thitikul shot an impressive 7-under 65 on the final round, pulling off breathtaking shots, including eagle-birdie finishes on the last two holes for second consecutive days. This type of pressure often brings the best out of seasoned players, but it’s equally formidable for those still establishing their careers.
For Thitikul, this was her fourth career victory, but certainly her most lucrative one. Just days prior, she had turned 21, which added to the fairytale aspect of her monumental triumph. The victory encapsulated elements of youthful exuberance mixed with competent professionalism, perhaps making her one of the faces of the future of women's golf.
The final rounds were fraught with tension. At one moment, Thitikul enjoyed a two-shot lead only to find herself trailing shortly thereafter as Yin made her charge. With only two holes left, it was do-or-die for both golfers. Thitikul’s strong finish made clear she was more than ready for the pressure.
On the final hole, Thitikul and Yin both had their eyes on the prize, tied at 21 under after the back-and-forth day. Each took to the fairway with calm determination. While Thitikul was confidently hitting her shot just five feet from the hole, Yin found herself roughly 15 feet away, giving the Thai golfer the slight edge.
When Yin's birdie attempt just brushed the edge of the cup but failed to sink, it was Thitikul who stood to gain glory. She knocked her putt dead center for the win, and history was made right there on the green.
But the accolades didn’t stop at the tournament title; through the Aon Risk-Reward Challenge, Thitikul also captured a bonus of $1 million, bringing her total earnings for the week to $5 million. This makes her one of the top-earning female golfers ever, reflecting the upward trend of women’s sports gaining equitable financial rewards.
The 2024 LPGA season was significant, not just for the players but also for the organization as a whole. Following the conclusion of the championship, LPGA announced their intent to increase prize money significantly for the 2025 season. The total purses will rise to $131 million across 33 official events, which is more than $14 million additional from the previous season.
This shift demonstrates not only the growing health of the women's game but also its increasing appeal to sponsors and audiences globally. With figures like Thitikul leading the charge, one can expect this trend to continue.
For the spectators and the golf community, the thrill of watching young talent like Thitikul rise to the occasion serves as both entertainment and inspiration. Her talent, coupled with her composure under pressure, signals to the world just how competitive the future of the LPGA is poised to be.
There's little doubt now: Jeeno Thitikul is not just another player on the tour but potentially the face of women's golf for years to come.
Thitikul’s victory, standout talent, and rising star status brought golf enthusiasts flocking not just to the tournaments but also to follow her burgeoning career. She undoubtedly possesses the skill and tenacity to thrive at the highest levels of the sport. Fans are eager to see how she will continue to build on this extraordinary moment.
With the 2025 season on the horizon, the excitement is palpable. Thitikul’s success could pave the way for future generations of female golfers, setting new benchmarks for performance, professionalism, and—of course—purse sizes.
The next chapter of Jeeno Thitikul's golf saga is guaranteed to be closely monitored by both her fans and her competitors, as they all prepare for what promises to be yet another electrifying season on the LPGA tour.
