Jeeno Thitikul achieves an exciting victory in Thailand with her mother by her side.

In an exhilarating spectacle that sent the golf world into a frenzy, world number one Jeeno Thitikul made history by winning the Honda LPGA Thailand, marking her first victory at home. With an impressive performance that included a 68 under par, Thitikul closed the tournament with a total of 24 under par, edging out rival Chizzy Iwai by a single stroke at the iconic Siam Country Club. This victory is not just another trophy in her collection; for Thitikul, it is a moment that transcends high-level competition.

“I would classify this as the most, most, most something,” Thitikul declared to the Golf Channel, acknowledging that although it is not a major event in comparison to the majors, winning in her homeland carries a much deeper significance. For her, winning at home is an achievement that resonates in the heart, sometimes even more than a major.

The most touching moment of the victory came when Thitikul reunited with her mother, Siriwan, at the 18th hole. Emotion filled the air as Siriwan, who makes it a point to attend only this tournament each year, could not hold back her tears. “It meant a lot. My mom came to me when I finished at 18 and she cried a lot,” Thitikul said. “I told her: ‘I finally won a tournament in front of you.’ That made her very emotional and I was too.”

Thitikul, who started the day with a two-shot lead, faced strong competition from Iwai, who, despite posting an impressive 66 under par, was unable to surpass the Thai star. The turning point came at hole 15, where Iwai missed a birdie putt from less than five feet, likely leading to the anguish that brought her to tears at the end of the round. However, the young Japanese player, who has already claimed one victory last year, will surely have new opportunities to shine this season, with her twin sister Akie by her side to offer comfort after the match.

Thitikul, who celebrated her 23rd birthday on Friday with a spectacular 63 under par, was the sensation of the tournament, drawing a crowd of fans who supported her tirelessly throughout the competition. This triumph marks Thitikul’s third victory in her last five outings, solidifying her status as the standout player on the circuit, after being crowned Rolex Player of the Year for two consecutive years.

Starting the final day with a birdie on the first hole and following up with more birdies in succession, Thitikul displayed impressive skill, despite making a few bogeys – only three throughout the tournament. Each time Iwai closed in, Thitikul responded with precision, securing her victory and taking home a prize of $270,000. With this win, she now boasts an impressive career earnings total of $17,704,399, and she is still only in her fifth year on tour.

Walking down the 18th fairway, Thitikul waved to her passionate fans. After sinking the final putt, she raised her arms in celebration as her supporters honored her with bottles of water in a vibrant gesture. Without a doubt, Thitikul is riding the wave of success that began last year, and while a victory in a major may be the next goal, this triumph at home is a milestone she will never forget.