Jeeno Thitikul Wins 2025 CME Group Tour Championship: $4M Payout Sets Women’s Golf Record
Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul defended her CME Group Tour Championship title on Nov. 23, 2025, clinching a record $4 million prize—the largest single payday in women’s golf. The 22-year-old Thai star also secured LPGA Player of the Year and a new scoring average mark, capping a dominant season with three wins.
Naples, Florida – In a commanding display that capped the 2025 LPGA Tour season, Thailand’s Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul successfully defended her CME Group Tour Championship crown on November 23, firing a final-round 4-under 68 to finish at 26-under 262, four shots clear of the field at Tiburon Golf Club. The 22-year-old world No. 1 pocketed a historic $4 million winner’s cheque— the largest first-place prize in women’s golf history—while also locking up the Rolex Player of the Year and Vare Trophy for the season’s lowest scoring average. Her back-to-back triumphs make her only the second player to repeat at the event, joining South Korea’s Jin Young Ko (2020-21).
Thitikul, who entered the final day with a six-shot lead over compatriot Pajaree Anannarukarn and American Nelly Korda, weathered an early charge before pulling away with birdies on the back nine, including a clutch one at the last. “This course gives me really good energy,” she said post-round, crediting a calm mindset despite a recent wrist scare. The victory marks her seventh LPGA title and third of 2025, following wins at the Mizuho Americas Open and Buick LPGA Shanghai.
Final Round Drama: From Six-Shot Lead to Four-Shot Triumph
Thitikul’s dominance was evident, but not without tension. Anannarukarn birdied three of the first five holes to close within three, while Korda eagled the par-5 11th from a fairway bunker to reach 18-under. Undeterred, Thitikul responded with birdies on Nos. 10 and 13, rebuilding a five-shot cushion through 13 holes before coasting home.
Australian Steph Kyriacou added flair with a hole-in-one on the par-3 17th—her third career ace—but finished T10 at 15-under. Korda, playing alongside Thitikul, ended at 20-under for second, her first top-five since July amid a winless season following her seven-victory 2024. Anannarukarn took third at 21-under.
- Final Leaderboard Top 5: 1. Jeeno Thitikul (Tha) -26; 2. Nelly Korda (USA) -20; 3. Pajaree Anannarukarn (Tha) -21; T4. Minjee Lee (Aus) -19; T4. Brooke M. Henderson (Can) -19.
- Thitikul’s Stats: 68.681 scoring average (new LPGA record, beating Annika Sorenstam’s 68.696 from 2002); 17-under through three rounds.
Record-Breaking Payday: $4 Million and Beyond
The $4 million haul—part of an $11 million purse, surpassing three LPGA majors—eclipses previous single-winner benchmarks, including Lydia Ko’s $3 million from the 2024 AIG Women’s Open. Thitikul’s two-year CME total of $8 million ranks as the second-highest two-tournament earnings in women’s sports history, trailing only Aryna Sabalenka’s $8.6 million from consecutive US Open tennis titles.
This payout propelled her past $17 million in career earnings, making her the fastest to that milestone. She now sits 19th on the all-time LPGA money list with $13.37 million in just 83 starts—far ahead of pacesetters like Sorenstam’s $22.58 million over 308 events.
- Purse Breakdown: 1st: $4M; 2nd: $1M; 3rd: $550K; Top 12: Min. $100K; Last: $55K.
- Season Earnings: Thitikul led with over $5.5 million, including four runner-ups and a T3.
A Dominant 2025: Three Wins, Major Heartbreak, and Accolades
Thitikul’s season was a masterclass in consistency: No missed cuts in 21 starts, 10 top-10s, and a near-miss at the Amundi Evian Championship (lost in playoffs to Grace Kim). Her Mizuho win marked her fifth career title, while Buick Shanghai added a sixth before this seventh.
The Vare Trophy cements her precision, with a record-low average underscoring why she’s the “winningest” player of 2025. Japanese rookie Miyu Yamashita, the AIG Women’s Open champ, needed a win here to challenge for Player of the Year but finished outside the top 10.
Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul hailed her as a national hero, while fans flooded social media with “GOAT” chants.
Legacy in the Making: From Child Prodigy to World No. 1
Born February 20, 2003, in Ratchaburi, Thailand, Thitikul burst onto the scene at 14 as the youngest pro winner ever (2017 Ladies European Thailand Championship as an amateur). By 19, she claimed her first LPGA win (2022 JTBC Classic), topped world rankings in 2022, and earned Rookie of the Year honors.
This repeat victory, post-Olympics T18 and wrist woes, highlights her resilience. “When I was six, I had no idea what LPGA was,” she reflected. “Now, inspiring the next generation is part of our job.” With Callaway gear in her bag— including Paradym Triple Diamond woods and Apex irons—Thitikul eyes majors in 2026.
Jeeno Thitikul’s Tour Championship retention isn’t just a title defense—it’s a coronation. At 22, she’s shattered records, inspired millions, and claimed the richest prize in women’s golf, all while redefining dominance. As she eyes a major breakthrough, the LPGA’s future looks Thai-tastic. With $4 million richer and accolades stacked, Thitikul isn’t just No. 1—she’s the blueprint. (Word count: 612)
Sources: L’Équipe, Tatler Asia, Golfshake, APGC, Nation Thailand, Golfweek, Golf Channel, ABC News, and LPGA.com (November 2025). For highlights, visit LPGA’s official recap.