Jeeno Thitikul made eight birdies and an eagle in a final round of 8-under 64 to win the Standard Portland Classic. She defeated fellow Thai golfers Arpichaya Yubol and Chanettee Wannasaen by one shot.
Going into the final round, Sophia Schubert and Yubol were tied for the lead with Thitikul trailing by two shots. Schubert started her round slowly, going out in one under par. Thitikul made her move, securing six birdies in her first seven holes, going out in five under par. She continued her stellar play with an eagle on the 10th hole and two more birdies. Despite birdies in her final two holes, Yubol was unable to catch Thitikul as she reached double-digit wins in her career on the LPGA Tour.
Although Thitikul continues to search for an elusive first major title, the world No. 2 has played well this season, winning at the Honda LPGA Thailand and the Mizuho Americas Open. Thitikul described how rewarding it was to reach 10 wins in her fourth year on tour.
“I think it will mean a lot to me. Golf is really a love-hate relationship to me and to everyone, too, I guess,” she said. “Because like when you win you’re like, ‘wow, how good is a test?’ But there are times you ask yourself, you question yourself, that’s what’s going on and then what can I do to make golf my way.
“To be able to get this win is just really worth the sacrifice that I have put in the work. I mean, I just love it anyway. Even golf slaps my face.”
With her win, Thitikul earned $300,000 and 500 points in the season-long Race to CME Globe. Nelly Korda remains in first place in the rankings.
This is Yubol’s third runner-up finish on tour this season, the others coming at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba and ShopRite LPGA Classic. Yubol was satisfied with her play this week coming towards the end of the season.
“This is the best year for me. Like every time, like too close, just a little bit. You know, I do my best on my game every shot. Like this week, too. Like on the last day I do my best and she does her best, too. So just one stroke, so, yeah, it’s golf,” she said.
The LPGA Tour will travel north for the CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Brooke Henderson is the defending champion.
