'More Than A Major Feeling': Jeeno Thitikul's Emotional Win at Home in Thailand

Jeeno Thitikul gets to play in front of her family and friends once a year. The Honda LPGA Thailand makes its way to Siam Country Club every February, and with its arrival comes a boatload of expectations for the world No. 1. This is her one chance to win with those closest to her in attendance. If that’s not enough pressure, she’s got thousands of Thai fans letting her know they want her to get the job done. As Thitikul explained, “They always shouting like could you please win Honda LPGA.”

She’d respond to the pleas, saying, “I tried. I tried so bad.”

Jeeno came close with third-place finishes in 2025 and 2023. The near misses, combined with Jeeno’s ascension to best player in the world, bumped up the anticipation for this year’s homecoming to a new level. The outcome every fan hoped for at the start of the week began to take shape after a second round 63 put Jeeno near the top of the leaderboard. The chase was on.

Entering the final round with a two-shot lead, Thitikul went out in 33 and looked comfortable from the jump. Eagles on the seventh and tenth holes from Chizzy Iwai made things interesting, but Thitikul delivered with a birdie at the 17th for a one-shot cushion. The hometown victory at the course she first visited as an 8-year-old, and in the event she first played in as a 14-year-old, was finally hers.

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The new season has barely begun, but if Jeeno’s time at the majors is finally here, you can bet she’ll credit her performance this week in helping her get over the hump. When asked about where this win ranks in her young career, Jeeno stated, “I know it's not that big event like compared to the majors, but like for us, for me, winning in my home country just means a lot to me, sometime more than a major feeling.”

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The scene on the 18th green shortly after Jeeno tapped in for par showed exactly what she meant with those words. After waving to the crowds, she let out a sigh of relief. It was brief, but the meaning was clear. She had come out on top of a pressure-packed week. She stepped up to the plate and delivered. She gave everyone watching exactly what they wanted.

The celebration came next. A swarm of players doused her in water. Hugs were given out left and right. Then Jeeno found her mom. That hug lasted longer than the rest and turned emotional.

“I finally won in front of you, Mom.”

Mom’s response was simple and accurate: “You’re the best.”