Jeeno Thitikul Survives Late Scare To Win LOTTE Championship

Jeeno Thitikul looked like she might have let the LOTTE Championship slip away on the 16th hole Sunday. Two holes later, she was holding another trophy.

The 23-year-old from Thailand responded to a late double bogey with birdies on Nos. 17 and 18, closing with a 4-under 68 at Hoakalei Country Club to finish 21-under 267 and beat Ina Yoon by three strokes. The victory was Thitikul’s fourth LPGA Tour title of 2026 and the 11th of her career.

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It was a finish that showed exactly why Thitikul has become one of the game’s toughest closers.

She carried a two-shot advantage to the par-4 16th, but her tee shot found the water and the lead disappeared. Instead of unraveling, Thitikul immediately flipped the tournament again.

On the par-4 17th, she buried a birdie putt from roughly 20 feet while Yoon made bogey after also finding water. Thitikul then added one more birdie at the par-5 18th to close the door.

“I know 16 was terrible,” Thitikul said. “But I just tell myself that, ‘Hey, it’s two hole left. Everything can happen.’”

That mindset produced a dramatic turnaround.

Yoon also shot 68 and finished at 18-under 270, earning her sixth top-10 finish of the season.

Miyu Yamashita took third at 17 under after a final-round 67, while American Auston Kim also shot 67 and finished fourth at 16 under.

Thitikul’s victory also moved her into rare territory. She matched Nelly Korda for the most LPGA Tour wins this season and became the first player from Thailand to win the LOTTE Championship.

She also moved within one victory of Ariya Jutanugarn’s mark for the most LPGA Tour wins by a Thai player.

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After nearly giving the tournament away, Thitikul finished it with authority.

That may have been the most impressive part.