Receiving a prize of over 138 million baht, she also claimed the number one spot on the money list.

“Jeeno” Atthaya Thitikul, the 21-year-old Thai pro, delivered an exceptional performance by making an eagle and two birdies on holes 17 and 18, finishing with a 7-under par 65 on the final day of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, USA, on Sunday, November 24, 2024. With a total score of 22-under par 266, she edged out Angel Yin of the United States by one stroke. Atthaya claimed her first-ever victory in the “Race to the CME Globe,” winning the title and receiving a massive cash prize of 4 million dollars (approximately 138 million baht), the largest prize ever in women’s golf history. She also claimed the number one spot on the Tour’s money list, with earnings surpassing 208.8 million baht.

The CME Group Tour Championship, the final event of the LPGA Tour season, took place from November 21-24, 2024, at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, USA. The tournament featured 60 players and ties from the season-long “Race to the CME Globe,” with a total prize purse of 11 million dollars (around 380.3 million baht). The competition was held in stroke play over 72 holes with no cuts.

After the first three days, Atthaya was tied for the lead with Angel Yin. On the final day, Atthaya made a birdie on hole 1 (par 5), pulling ahead by one stroke with a total score of 16-under par, and later made another birdie on hole 3 (par 4), extending her lead to 17-under par. However, she made a bogey on hole 4, allowing Yin to catch up with a birdie on the same hole, and they were tied once again.

Atthaya regained the lead with a birdie on hole 7 (par 4), reaching 17-under par, while Yin also made a birdie on hole 8, bringing them level again. Yin then took the lead for the first time with a birdie on hole 10 (par 4), moving to 18-under par, and extended her advantage to two strokes with another birdie on hole 12, bringing her score to 19-under par. However, Atthaya responded with a birdie on hole 13, narrowing the gap to one stroke. Both players made birdies on hole 14 (par 5), with Atthaya moving to 19-under par and Yin to 20-under par.

Yin then made a birdie on hole 16 (par 3), moving two strokes ahead at 21-under par with just two holes left. However, on hole 17 (par 5), Atthaya hit her second shot onto the green in two and made an eagle, leveling the scores at 21-under par. Yin missed a 5-foot birdie putt, allowing Atthaya to tie her. On the final hole, both players reached the fairway off the tee, with Atthaya hitting an approach shot within 4 feet of the flag, while Yin was left 25 feet away. Yin’s long birdie putt missed, and she tapped in for par. Atthaya then made her birdie putt to finish the round with a 7-under par 65 and a total score of 22-under par 266, claiming the victory.

This marks Atthaya’s first win at the CME Group Tour Championship, earning a prize of 4 million dollars (around 138.3 million baht), the highest prize in the history of women’s golf. It is her second title of the year, following her victory at the Team Star Championship alongside Yin Yuhaning from China. This is her fourth LPGA Tour victory and the sixth win by a Thai golfer on the LPGA Tour in 2024, alongside Papang Thawatchankit, who won the Honda LPGA Thailand; Chanettee Wanasan, who won the Dana Open; Moriya Jutanugarn, who won the Portland Classic; and Jasmine Suwannapura, who won the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

Atthaya now sits at number one on the LPGA Tour money list for 2024, with total earnings of 6,059,309 dollars (around 208.8 million baht). When including the Aon Risk Reward Challenge bonus of 1 million dollars, her total earnings for the year amount to 7,059,309 dollars (approximately 243.3 million baht) from 17 events. She finished in the top 10 in 12 events this year.

After her victory, Atthaya commented, “Today has been a very good day. Honestly, I didn’t feel like I was hitting my irons very well, but I think my putting was solid. However, the last two holes were something beyond my expectations. I didn’t really know what happened on holes 17 and 18, but making an eagle was more than I could have imagined. On the final hole, I hit my second shot well and made the putt, which felt like the reward for all the hard work I’ve put in.”

As for the performance of other Thai golfers, “Mew” Ariya Jutanugarn, the former champion of this event, finished tied for 19th with a total score of 10-under par 278, earning 80,167 dollars. “Proud” Chanettee Wanasan, Jasmine Suwannapura, and “Mew” Pajaree Anannarukarn all finished tied for 30th with a score of 7-under par 281, earning 68,500 dollars. “Piano” Apichaya Yubol ended with an even-par 288, tied for 52nd, and earned 56,750 dollars. “Mo” Moriya Jutanugarn finished with 1-over par 289, tied for 55th, earning 56,000 dollars, while “Patti” Papang Thawatchankit finished with 6-over par 294 in 30th place, earning 55,000 dollars.

Additionally, awards were presented for the Vare Trophy and Rookie of the Year. Ayaka Furue from Japan claimed the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average of the season, becoming the first Japanese golfer to win this award. Mao Saigo, also from Japan, won the 2024 Rookie of the Year award.

For more information, visit www.lpga.com.