At a staggering 23 years old, Jeeno Thitikul clinched her tenth career LPGA title at the Standard Portland Classic on Sunday, immediately vaulting her into some seriously elite company on the tour. This isn’t just another trophy; it places her among only eight LPGA players who’ve hit double-digit wins before their 24th birthday. Talk about a phenom, right? She absolutely deserves every bit of that $300,000 prize money.
Unbelievable Ball-Striking and a Putter That Wouldn’t Quit
Let’s talk about how this win actually went down. Thitikul started the final round two shots back at Columbia Edgewater Country Club, but she absolutely crushed it with a final-round 64. You know what they say: majors are won with the putter, and she proved it. Her ball-striking was on point all day, but when it came down to crunch time, her putter was just unstoppable. She edged out her own compatriots, Arpichaya Yubol and Chanettee Wannasaen, by a single stroke. Wannasaen, who fired a 63 herself, actually won this event three years ago as a Monday-qualifier, so Thitikul really had to earn this one against some serious talent. You just gotta love that kind of competition!
This victory marks her third win of the 2026 season. Remember her emotional win at the Honda LPGA Thailand in February? Or that four-stroke victory over her close friend Ruoning Yin back in May at the Mizuho Americas Open? She’s on a tear this year. Thitikul really summed it up herself after the win, saying, “I would say every win it’s means the sacrifice that we put in, the work we put in. I mean, you know, I’ve had a time that I doubt, like, what is going on in my games, and then, when you get it, you’re just like, wow, this is what you’re waiting for.” That’s the mindset of a champion, battling through doubt and coming out on top.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: She’s a Consistent Powerhouse
Honestly, the numbers surrounding Thitikul are just mind-boggling. This is her second straight year with three wins, and she’s won at least twice every season since her 2022 rookie year, except for 2023. Her consistency is unreal: 63 career top-10 finishes in just 99 starts! That’s almost two-thirds of her tournaments ending in a top-ten finish. And then there’s the money: $19.7 million in career earnings, putting her at No. 6 on the all-time list, right behind Cristie Kerr. Seriously, she’s collecting checks like it’s her job (because, well, it is).
While she’s still chasing her first major title and trails World No. 1 Nelly Korda’s four wins this season, Thitikul is absolutely a force. With Ariya Jutanugarn holding the all-time Thai player record with 12 wins, including two majors, you know Thitikul has her sights set higher. What’s next for this incredible talent? Will she grab that elusive major before the season is out? The LPGA tour just got a whole lot more exciting, and we can’t wait to see what this young superstar does next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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