Jeeno Thitikul faced a compelling challenge on the final two holes of the CME Group Tour Championship, trailing by two strokes. She knew she had to deliver a strong performance to claim a historic prize in women’s golf. Demonstrating remarkable skill, Thitikul executed another eagle-birdie finish, replicating this feat for the second consecutive day.
On Sunday, Thitikul secured the unprecedented first-place prize of $4 million, marking the largest payout in the history of women’s golf. This substantial award surpasses the winning shares of three out of four male major tournaments held this year. Achieving a stellar round of 7-under 65, Thitikul concluded the tournament at 22 under par, edging out Angel Yin, who recorded a score of 66, by a single stroke. Just before the 17th hole, Yin appeared to have control of the game, holding a two-shot lead.
The decisive moment came on the tournament’s final hole, with both Thitikul and Yin tied at 21 under following an intense day where they exchanged leads. A misstep for either golfer could have substantial implications, given the financial stakes involved. Initially, Thitikul held a two-shot advantage after the third hole, but as the competition progressed, Yin took over with her own two-shot lead before the final two holes. Their rounds saw a series of shifts, with Yin birdieing and Thitikul encountering a bogey at the par-4 fourth hole, bringing them to a tie at 16 under. Thitikul regained momentum by making an eagle on the par-5 17th, leading to the crucial tie once again.
Both players found the fairway on 18, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion. Thitikul’s approach shot was nearly flawless, placing her within five feet of the pin, whereas Yin’s positioned her approximately 15 feet away, giving Thitikul an advantageous edge. As the tension mounted, Yin’s birdie attempt narrowly missed the cup, while Thitikul’s putt found its mark, sealing the victory and etching her name in history.
With this remarkable finish, Thitikul also secured an additional $1 million through her success in the Aon Risk-Reward Challenge, a competition that rewards golfers based on their performance on a specified hole. Altogether, the 21-year-old from Thailand celebrated an outstanding week, accumulating a total of $5 million and achieving an impressive 8-under performance over the last two holes at Tiburon Golf Club.