Here, composure rules. Jeeno Thitikul, the World Number 1, triumphed at the Buick LPGA Classic in Shanghai after a marathon five-hole playoff against Minami Katsu, in an afternoon that exuded high drama at Qizhong Garden. The Thai player forced the playoff with a monumental eagle on the 17th that unleashed a great Sunday roar. Then, patience, tenacity, and nerves of steel in the sudden death to claim her third victory of the year, the second in the LPGA, keeping at bay a Katsu who had been on a roll since her record-breaking 61 strokes on Friday. Thitikul is the first player to win two tournaments this season on the American circuit.
The tournament, marked by hard greens due to the extreme heat—a topic of conversation all week—was decided in the small details. In the playoff, repeated between the 18th and the 10th, Katsu had two real birdie chances to win, but the ball refused to drop. Jeeno, who had already shown her mettle with that cannon shot on the 17th in regulation, held the exchange until delivering the decisive blow on the fifth extra hole. Shanghai, at her feet.
The leaderboard speaks for itself: Thitikul and Katsu finished with -24 (264), Minjee Lee finished third with -19 (269), and the rest, in another dimension. To understand Katsu’s great performance, just remember her 61 (-11) on Friday, a new tournament record, which catapulted her to the lead and kept her in front until the last moment. Among the local protagonists, special shine from amateur Xu Ying, top-10 with -16.
The Spanish players shine brightly
Carlota Ciganda once again showcased her champion repertoire in the final stretch: 66-66 over the weekend to climb to T15 with -12 (69-75-66-66). Solid from the tee, precise with irons, and with that competitive gene that never lets her give up: a good haul of points and sensations for what’s to come. Julia López, for her part, completed a very serious week, although with a bitter taste due to what happened over the weekend. Two opening 69s and two closing 73s. She finished in 50th place. Continuing to gain experience and confirming that her game is heading in the right direction.
