It will be difficult for world number one Jeeno Thitikul to top her outstanding season from last year unless she claims a major championship.
But that all changed Sunday.
Thitikul shot a four-under 68 and made a tap-in par on the 18th hole to win the Honda LPGA Thailand, securing her first victory on home soil. She carded rounds of 67, 63, 66 and 68 for a 24-under total, finishing one shot ahead of Chizzy Iwai at Siam Country Club.
Related: Here’s the prize money payout for each golfer at the 2026 Honda LPGA Thailand
The emotional win in front of family and friends will be hard to top.
“I would rate it as A plus plus plus plus something,” Thitikul told Golf Channel. “I know it’s not as big an event compared to the majors, but for us and for me, winning in my home country means a lot more, sometimes even more than a major.”
And the dream comes true for Jeeno, winning at home 🏆 pic.twitter.com/y9AOsD9k7M
— LPGA (@LPGA) February 22, 2026
The superstar and her mum, Siriwan, embraced at the 18th. Siriwan sprayed a water bottle on her, just as the other players did. This is the only tournament Siriwan attends each year, so it’s the first time she’s seen her daughter win an LPGA event in person.
“It meant a lot. My mum came up to me when I finished on 18 and she cried a lot,” Thitikul said. “I told her, ‘I finally won a tournament in front of you.’ She was really emotional and it made me emotional too.”
Thitikul, who led by two shots after 54 holes, will remember this one for quite a while. She held off Iwai in a brilliant duel between two of the game’s youngest and most talented players.
Iwai shot a six-under 66 to finish second and was left in tears after she finished, with Thitikul still playing in the group behind her. Iwai missed a birdie putt inside five feet that would have given her a one-shot lead at the 15th, which surely caused most of her anguish. Iwai won once last year and there will be more opportunities for the Japanese star to win again this year. Her twin sister Akie was there to comfort her after the round in Thailand.
Thitikul celebrated her 23rd birthday on Friday with a nine-under 63. Fans serenaded her all day and throughout the tournament. They followed her in droves on Sunday as well.
This is Thitkiul’s third win in her last five starts, dating back to last season when she won three times and was named Rolex Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Thitikul celebrates with her grandfather. [Photo: Thananuwat Srirasant]
Thitikul birdied the first hole Sunday, then had birdies on holes 6, 7 and 8. She had two bogeys (and just three for the tournament). Each time Iwai moved into a share of the lead, Thitikul would answer.
She won $270,000 (A$415,000) in her eighth career victory. Thitikul now has $17,704,399 (A$27,200,000) in official career earnings, and she has just started her fifth year on tour.
Related: World No. 1 treats adoring fans to a scorching 63 on her birthday in her native Thailand
When she walked up the 18th fairway, she waved to her adoring fans. After she dropped her final putt, she raised both arms. Once the water bottles had been emptied over her, she took off both shoes and tipped out the water from the waves of celebration.
Thitikul is clearly riding the momentum from last year. Surely the only thing that could top it now is a major, even though this win in Thailand seemed to feel like one.
