Jeeno Thitikul won the LPGA Thailand by one shot over Japan's Chizzy Iwai
The victory marked Thitikul's eighth LPGA Tour title and first on home soil
The win was particularly emotional as her mother watched after eight previous attempts
The tournament was the first of three consecutive LPGA events in Asia
📖 Full Retelling
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul justified her top billing in emphatic fashion after edging Japan's Chizzy Iwai by one stroke to capture her home LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time in Chonburi, Thailand on February 22, 2026. The Thai star, buoyed by raucous home support, kept her composure under sweltering conditions and intense pressure to card a closing 4-under-par 68, finishing on 24-under-par 264. The victory marked her eighth LPGA Tour title and her first triumph on home soil, made even more special with her mother watching in person after the Thai had made eight previous attempts at the event. 'I would rate it A triple-plus,' said the 23-year-old. 'I know it's not as big as the majors, but winning in my home country means so much to me — sometimes even more than a major.' Thitikul became the third Thai winner of the tournament, following Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty Tavatanakit in 2024.
World No.19 Iwai mounted a strong challenge, drawing level briefly after rolling in her second eagle of the day on the par-5 10th, but the Japanese added no further birdies and signed for a 66 to finish runner-up on 23-under-par 265. Korea's Kim Hyo joo, the world No.9, posted a 68 to take third at 22-under-par 266, while compatriot Lee Somi, the opening-round leader, finished fourth on 21-under-par 267. Former world No.1 Lydia Ko carded a 68 to tie for fifth alongside Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who produced the lowest round of the day with a scintillating 63 as both ended the week on 20-under-par 268. Defending champion Angel Yin shot 70 and was in a tie for 48th at 5-under 283.
The tournament, held about 125 kilometers east of Bangkok, was the first of three events in Asia in consecutive weeks, to be followed by those in Singapore and China in the so-called early Asian swing on the LPGA Tour. The emotional victory brought particular joy to Thitikul as she shared the moment with her mother, who had watched her daughter compete in this event eight times before without seeing her win. 'My mom came up to me after I finished 18 and she cried a lot,' Thitikul said. 'I told her I finally won in front of you. She was emotional, and that made me emotional too.'
🏷️ Themes
Golf, Sports, International Competition, Home Victory
Atthaya "Jeeno" Thitikul (Thai: อาฒยา ฐิติกุล, RTGS: Atthaya Thitikun, pronounced [ʔàːt.tʰā.jāː tʰì(ʔ).tì(ʔ).kūn]; born 20 February 2003), is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour. Until 2023, she was the youngest golfer ever to win a professio...
Golf is a club-and-ball sport in which players use various clubs to hit a ball into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible.
Golf, unlike most ball games, cannot and does not use a standardized playing area, and coping with the varied terrains encountered on different courses is ...
Chisato Iwai (岩井 千怜, Iwai Chisato) (born 5 July 2002) is a Japanese professional golfer. She plays on the LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Japan Tour where she has 8 wins.
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
Jeeno Thitikul's victory is significant as she secured her first win at her home LPGA tournament, solidifying her status as the world's top-ranked player. The emotional triumph in front of her family and home crowd highlights the importance of national pride in professional sports. This win also reinforces Thailand's growing presence in women's golf, with Thitikul becoming the third Thai champion of this event.
Context & Background
Jeeno Thitikul is the current World No. 1 golfer
This was her eighth LPGA Tour title
She is the third Thai player to win the LPGA Thailand tournament
The event was held in Chonburi, Thailand
The tournament is part of the LPGA Tour's early Asian swing
What Happens Next
The LPGA Tour moves to Singapore and China for the next events in the Asian swing. Thitikul's victory boosts her confidence and ranking as she continues competing on the international circuit. The win may also increase local interest and support for golf in Thailand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Jeeno Thitikul beat to win the tournament?
She defeated Japan's Chizzy Iwai by one stroke.
How many times has Thitikul won this event before?
This was her first victory at the LPGA Thailand tournament.
What was Thitikul's final score?
She finished with a total score of 24-under-par 264.
Original Source
Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul wins home LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time Jeeno Thitikul wins the LPGA Thailand by one shot and earns her first victory at her home event By LERPONG AMSA-NGIAM Associated Press February 22, 2026, 4:04 AM CHONBURI, Thailand -- World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul justified her top billing in emphatic fashion after edging Japan’s Chizzy Iwai by one stroke to capture and claim her home LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time. Buoyed by raucous home support, the Thai star kept her composure under sweltering conditions and intense pressure to card a closing 4-under-par 68, finishing on 24-under-par 264. The victory marked her eighth LPGA Tour title and her first triumph on home soil. “I would rate it A triple-plus," said the 23-year-old. “I know it’s not as big as the majors, but winning in my home country means so much to me — sometimes even more than a major.” Thitikul became the third Thai winner of the tournament, following Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty Tavatanakit in 2024. The win was made even more special with her mother watching in person after the Thai had made eight previous attempts at the event. “My mom came up to me after I finished 18 and she cried a lot,” Thitikul said. “I told her I finally won in front of you. She was emotional, and that made me emotional too.” World No.19 Iwai mounted a strong challenge, drawing level briefly after rolling in her second eagle of the day on the par-5 10th. However, the Japanese added no further birdies and signed for a 66 to finish runner-up on 23-under-par 265. Popular Reads Nancy Guthrie live updates: More than 1 suspect not ruled out, sheriff's office says Feb 21, 5:31 PM Trump says he has signed order for new 15% tariff after Supreme Court ruling Feb 21, 4:34 PM Nancy Guthrie case: Person released as search for 'armed individual' continues Feb 10, 11:15 PM Korea’s Kim Hyo joo, the world No.9, posted a 68 to take third at 22-under-par 266, while compatriot Lee Somi, the opening-rou...
