Jeeno Thitikul (-14) is the absolute standout name of the second day of the CME Group Tour Championship. The Thai golfer, World Number One, delivered a fabulous round of 63 strokes this Friday and stormed into the tournament lead. She has put on a magnificent performance, befitting the best golfer on the planet at the moment. She only missed one fairway and one green and made nine birdies without a mistake. Colossal.
Thitikul wants it all. She is the World Number One and has arrived at the grand finale of the LPGA Tour in the top position of the ranking. However, it counts for little to be crowned as the winner of the Race to CME Globe. For that, there is no other option but to win this Sunday. Nothing else matters beyond making it into the top 60 to qualify. Once here, whoever wins the tournament will take home the four million dollar cheque and be the ranking winner. Thitikul already won this tournament last year and, consequently, the Race.
Thitikul has opened a gap on the leaderboard. It is not definitive, but it is very significant. She has a three-stroke lead over Sei Young Kim (-11) and four over Nasa Hataoka (-10) and Somi Lee (-10), leader after the first day. There is only one rival to beat, and her name is Jeeno. The other standout name is Nelly Korda (-9). Thitikul’s predecessor on the world throne has staged a spectacular comeback with a round of 64 strokes and has rejoined the battle for victory. Also in the top 10 are notable names like Minjee Lee, Brooke Henderson, and Patty Tavatanakit.
The one who did not have her best day was Carlota Ciganda (PAR). The Navarrese golfer lost significant ground in the standings after delivering a round of 75 strokes. Her round was really marked by the devastating quadruple bogey she made on the 11th hole. Despite everything, she managed to recover with three birdies in the next six holes but finished with a painful bogey. Her chances of victory have faded, but she still has the possibility to fight for a top 10 finish. She will need to be the best over the weekend.
