Jeeno Thitikul wins record $4m after victory at CME Group Tour Championship
With two strokes remaining and two holes to play, Jeeno Thitikul knew exactly what it would take to capture the biggest prize in women’s golf history. And another eagle-birdie finish – for the second day in a row – made it possible.
Thitikul claimed the record $4 million sum by winning the CME Group Tour Championship on Sunday. It is the largest cash prize in women’s golf history, bigger than even the winner’s share of three of the four major men’s championships this year.
“Today I am standing here with the trophy, it is more than I can ask for,” Thitikul said.
Thitikul, who has yet to win a major, shot a seven-under 65 on Sunday to end the week at 22 under, one shot ahead of American Angel Yin (66). Yin had a two-shot lead as he walked to the 17th tee, but ultimately settled for second place at $1 million.
Yin, who missed the start of the season after breaking her leg, hardly sounded defeated after finishing second and more than doubling her 2024 earnings in four days.
“I’m pretty awesome… I learned that I just have to believe myself and that’s what I did,” Yin said.
The win and the huge check came down to the 18th hole, Thitikul and Yin tied at 21 under after a day of back-and-forth at the top of the leaderboard – both knowing a mistake would likely cost them a $3 million prize.
Both hit the fairway on 18. Thitikul’s approach was nearly perfect, stopping about six feet from the cup. She smiled widely as she approached the green, almost as if she knew what was about to happen. Yin’s birdie putt from about 15 feet just missed. Thitikul’s was right in the middle. And the history was hers.
Her plans for her money? “Definitely spend it,” Thitikul said. “That’s certainly an honest answer. I’m definitely going to spend it for a while.”
She had already secured a $1 million bonus this week through the Aon risk reward challengea competition based on how players score on a designated hole each week. Ultimately, the 21-year-old from Thailand earned a whopping $5 million week.
“All the hard work has paid off,” said Thitikul.
New Zealand Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko (63) finished third at 17 under, her nine birdies coming in the space of 13 holes. “I’m happy that I can work hard this offseason and have another great 2025,” said Ko.