NAPLES, Fla. – It doesn't feel like Jeeno Thitikul has dominated 2025. One of only two players to win twice this season, Thitikul has endured a number of close calls and, admittedly, many tears. But at the CME Group Tour Championship, the 22-year-old world No. 1 is poised to make a clean sweep of it.
"I don't have no expectation about myself," said the always-humble Thitikul, "I don't think I need to, like, manage any expectation from others."With a three-stroke lead after 36 holes at Tiburon Golf Club, she's poised to not only win the $4 million check for a second time but take the Rolex Player of the Year Award, Vare Trophy and money title along with it. The last player to win all three of those titles in the same season was Lydia Ko in 2022.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThailand's Thitikul leads the tour in the following categories: Scoring, birdie average, bogey avoidance, strokes gained total, par 3 scoring, par 4 scoring and putts per green in regulation.
NAPLES, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 24: Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand poses with the trophy after winning the CME Group Tour Championship 2024 at Tiburon Golf Club on November 24, 2024 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Coming into this week, she was a combined 50 under at the CME over the past three years, the best of any player in that span by six strokes. Amy Yang ranked second at 44 under.
There are a number of statistical categories that Thitikul could conquer in a way that hasn't been done in a decade or more. For example, the KPMG Performance Insights note that Thitikul could become the first player since Lorena Ochoa in 2008 to lead the tour in par 3, par 4 and par 5 scoring. Annika Sorenstam did it three times: 2002, 2004, 2005.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThitikul came into the week 0.02 strokes behind Nelly Korda in par-5 scoring. She leads the other two categories. She also has a chance to become the first player since Ochoa (2006-2008) to lead the tour in birdie or better average for three consecutive years.
The difference between Ochoa and Sorenstam, of course, is that Thitikul's consistency doesn't equate to as many wins. Ochoa won 21 times from 2006 to 2008. Sorenstam won 24 times from 2003 to 2005.
Thitikul has six titles over the course of the past four seasons. She has four runner-up finishes this season.
"I've played with her a lot over the past two years, and I would say that she rarely ever has a miss-hit," said former No. Nelly Korda. "That's kind of what have to do to be on top of the game and that's what's she's doing."
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LPGA CME Tour Championship 2025: Jeeno Thitikul poised for clean sweep
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