Jeeno Thitikul survives 16th-hole double bogey to win LOTTE Championship, her fourth LPGA title of 2026
Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul birdied the last two holes in Hawaii to win by three shots at 21 under, tying Nelly Korda for most LPGA wins this year.
Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul recovered from a late double bogey to win the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii at the weekend, claiming her fourth LPGA Tour title of 2026 and drawing level with Nelly Korda for the most wins this season.
The world No. 2 closed with a four-under 68 at Hoakalei Country Club to finish on 21 under par, three shots clear of South Korea's Ina Yoon.
A scare at the 16th
The final round looked comfortable until the par-four 16th, where Jeeno found water off the tee and walked off with a double bogey. With the lead suddenly under threat, she responded with birdies on the last two holes to pull clear again.
She admitted afterwards that the 16th had been a poor hole, but said she reminded herself that "everything can happen" with two holes left.
The leaderboard
- 1st: Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand), -21
- 2nd: Ina Yoon (South Korea), -18
- 3rd: Miyu Yamashita (Japan), -17
- 4th: Auston Kim (USA), -16
- T5: Michelle Zhang and Maja Stark, -15
Asian players filled the top three places. Among the other Thai players, Pajaree Anannarukarn finished tied 13th at 12 under, while Pornanong Phatlum and Chanettee Wannasaen also made the weekend.
The win was worth US$450,000.
A season to remember
The title adds to wins earlier in the year at the Honda LPGA Thailand, the Mizuho Americas Open and The Standard Portland Classic. It is the 23-year-old's 11th LPGA Tour victory since turning professional in 2022.
That puts her one win short of Ariya Jutanugarn's mark for the most LPGA titles by a Thai player. Ariya also won five times in her breakout 2016 season, a number Jeeno can still chase with several events left on the schedule.
Four wins also ties her with world No. 1 Nelly Korda for the most victories on tour this year, setting up an interesting finish to the season in the race for player of the year honours.
Asian swing next
The LPGA now moves to Asia. The tour's next stop is the Buick LPGA Shanghai, which begins on 15 October, and the autumn swing is a stretch where Asian players traditionally draw big home support.
For golf fans in Malaysia, Jeeno's run is another reminder of how strong South-East Asian women's golf has become on the world stage, with a Thai player now challenging for the top of the rankings week in, week out.
Key takeaways
- Jeeno Thitikul won the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii at 21 under, three shots ahead of Ina Yoon.
- She bounced back from a double bogey on the 16th with birdies on 17 and 18.
- It is her fourth LPGA win of 2026, tying Nelly Korda for the season lead, and her 11th career title.
- She is one win away from matching Ariya Jutanugarn's Thai record for LPGA titles.
FAQ How many LPGA titles has Jeeno Thitikul won in 2026? Four: the Honda LPGA Thailand, the Mizuho Americas Open, The Standard Portland Classic and the LOTTE Championship. Who finished second at the 2026 LOTTE Championship? South Korea's Ina Yoon was runner-up at 18 under, three shots behind Jeeno. Japan's Miyu Yamashita was third at 17 under. What is the next LPGA event? The Buick LPGA Shanghai, starting on 15 October, opens the tour's Asian swing.
Sources: LPGA, Golf Today, The Nation Thailand, ESPN