Jeeno Thitikul already has the big picture to place in her living room. The world number one, the big favourite and the local heroine fulfilled the most demanding script of all this Sunday at the Honda LPGA Thailand: winning in Thailand, with the whole country behind her and doing so by withstanding until the end the pressure of a final round where there was much more to lose than to gain. She closed with 68 strokes (-4) for a total of 264 (-24) and took the title by just one stroke over Japan’s Chisato “Chizzy” Iwai.
It wasn’t just any Sunday. It was her Sunday. In Pattaya, at the Siam Country Club (Old Course), Jeeno was playing at home, as the World Number One and with the label of absolute favourite. And she responded like the greats on big occasions: with composure, emotional control and a tremendous ability to hold the tournament when Iwai was tightening the rope the most. She is the closest thing to Scottie Scheffler in women’s golf and the truth is that the suit fits her like a glove. Not only because of her level, but because of her way of commanding and dominating. The Thai held her nerve under the heat, the noise, the pressure and the expectations and walked out the front door.
The final round had several hot moments. The main one came when Iwai made her second eagle of the day on the 10th hole, a charge that temporarily put her on par with Jeeno and further ignited the tournament. She didn’t make it easy. It was the big strike from the Japanese player, who finished with 66 (-6). However, she found no more birdies after that moment and Jeeno managed the lead in the decisive stretch to close the tournament with a minimal but sufficient margin. A birdie on the 17th hole, when everything was being decided, tipped the balance in favour of the Thai player.
The victory carries enormous emotional weight. Jeeno described it at the ceremony as an outstanding triumph and it’s not just a cliché. Beyond the majors, it is clear to everyone that winning in her country always has a special meaning. In fact, the presence of her mother on the course —something unusual— added a sentimental component that was felt at the end. It was, in every sense, a victory to be remembered for a lifetime.
In terms of achievements, this victory raises her win count to eight on the LPGA Tour. It also makes her the third Thai to win the Honda LPGA Thailand, after Ariya Jutanugarn and Patty Tavatanakit. Of course, it consolidates her position as World Number One.
And if we talk about momentum, the victory doesn’t come out of nowhere. It is the confirmation of everything. Jeeno has been stringing together months at an extraordinary level. In 2025 she closed a monumental season: Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy and a relentless consistency, with 14 top 10 finishes in 20 tournaments, in addition to finishing the season with another victory at the CME Group Tour Championship. She has strung together eight consecutive top 10 finishes, including three wins and two runner-up finishes.
Behind Jeeno, the tournament left a very high-level leaderboard: Chizzy Iwai was second with -23, Hyo Joo Kim finished third with -22, and Somi Lee, who had a very brilliant week, concluded fourth with -21.
The Spanish players: good tournament for Julia, bitter end; Carlota, uphill week
In terms of Spanish players, Julia López had a notable tournament and finished with 276 strokes (-12) after rounds of 67-65-69-75. She arrived at the final day very well positioned and with options to keep fighting at the top, but that 75 on Sunday completely halted her chances and left her in the group of players at -12 (Top 25). Even so, the Andalusian’s week once again leaves very serious signs of competitiveness in a top-level field.
For her part, Carlota Ciganda finished with 293 strokes (+5), with scorecards of 75-75-70-73, in a more challenging week for the Navarrese in Pattaya. Her best partial came in the third round, but she didn’t find the necessary continuity in a tournament with very low scores.
