After finishing as a runner-up and in third place twice in her home country’s tournament, world number one Jeeno Thitikul defeated Japan’s Chisato “Chizzy” Iwai by one stroke for her first win this season. The Honda LPGA Thailand is Thitikul’s third win in her last five starts on the LPGA Tour.
Following a third round 66 (-6), Thitikul entered the final round with a two-shot advantage over Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim and a three-shot advantage over Somi Lee, Allisen Corpuz and C. Iwai. A two-shot lead was all Thitikul needed, making six birdies in her final round to take home the trophy. Thitikul had this message to Thai fans after her win.
“The Thai fans should be really proud because they are always shouting, like, could you please win the Honda LPGA. I was like, I tried. I tried so badly. Obviously, finally get it done, and hopefully they can be happy and proud about it,” she said.
After so many close chances, the win put it in perspective for Thitikul.
“Finally get it done after all the things what happen, I think it’s just a life perspective, like grateful. And then all the things that I have been doing, just on the right checks. Just nothing else, just grateful,” she said.
Runner-up Chizzy Iwai had an excellent final round consisting of two eagles and zero bogeys on the scorecard for a round of 66 (-6). After coming off a win last season at the 2025 MEXICO Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, she had this to say on her final round.
“I get a lot of confidence from playing today, so, yeah, I feel more confident and then trust my instincts, trust myself. It’s going to be fun this season,” she said.
This is Thitukul’s eighth win of her career and first this season. With her win, she earned $270,000 and 500 points in the season-long competition, Race to CME Globe. She moved into first place over American Nelly Korda after her win at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
The LPGA Tour continues next week at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore. Defending champion Lydia Ko looks to defend her title at Sentosa Golf Club.
