World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul fired a birdie-filled final round at the Standard Portland Classic to win her third LPGA Tour title of the year and her 10th overall.
The Thai star entered the final round at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in solo third, just two shots off the lead shared by her compatriot Arpichaya Yubol and America’s Sophia Schubert. Schubert slipped away early with back-to-back bogeys at the 3rd and 4th, while Yubol enjoyed a steady front nine that included three straight birdies from the 5th to 7th. However, Thitikul followed an opening birdie with five more in a row from the 3rd to quickly close the gap and draw level. Despite dropping her first shot at the 9th as she made the turn, she made an eagle at the 10th for the outright lead.
Thitikul and Yubol both bogeyed the 12th before responding with two more birdies, as they went shot for shot. Fellow Thai player Chanettee Wannasaen also surged into contention, carding a bogey-free round featuring nine impressive birdies to mount a late charge. However, her efforts ultimately left her one shot behind Thitikul, who sealed the title on 22 under with a final-round 64 to claim her third LPGA Tour victory of the year.
“I’m very happy, and I really enjoyed playing under pressure and being in the final group,” Thitikul said afterwards. “I feel that it was another step that will help me keep improving. Golf challenges you every day, and this week will be another very special memory because I was able to achieve it.”
The victory is her 10th overall, making the 23-year-old the eighth player to claim 10 wins or more before turning 24. She also joins world No. 1 Nelly Korda as the only other three-time winner on the circuit this year.
“Every victory and every trophy means a great deal, but the more you achieve, the harder you have to work,” she continued, reflecting on her tenth LPGA title.
“There has never been a title that did not require effort. Every achievement comes with sacrifices. There have been times when I felt confident and times when I did not, but I was still able to succeed.
“It is a competition. Whether I win or not, I am satisfied as long as I do my part well that day. Whatever happens from now on, I will be happy with myself if I can overcome my own challenges every day.”
Yubol and Wannasaen both shared second place on 21 under, while overnight leader Schubert finished fourth on 17 under. Fifth was a three-way tie between South Korea’s Narin An, Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn, and France’s Celine Boutier all on 16 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the LPGA Tour schedule is CPKC Women’s Open taking place between 20-23 August at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Alberta, Canada.