World number one Jeeno Thitikul surged into a commanding three-shot lead after a stunning second-round performance at the CME Group Tour Championship, the LPGA’s season-ending event in Florida.
Thitikul’s Bogey-Free Round
The 22-year-old Thai golfer carded a nine-under-par 63, her second consecutive round under 65, to reach 14 under overall and put herself firmly in control of the $11 million tournament, which offers a $4 million top prize. Thitikul’s round featured four consecutive birdies on either side of the turn, demonstrating the precision and composure that has made her the world number one.
Thitikul is aiming to win the CME Group Tour Championship for a second consecutive year, cementing her status as one of the sport’s premier competitors.
Chasing the Leader
Trailing by three shots, Kim Sei-young of South Korea sits at 11 under, while Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and first-round leader Somi Lee are one shot further back at 10 under. These players remain in strong contention, but Thitikul’s flawless play has put significant pressure on the field heading into the weekend.
Home favourite Nelly Korda, a two-time major champion yet without a win this season, made a remarkable surge up the leaderboard with a 64, moving into a tie for fifth. Korda’s round included nine birdies, with three in her final four holes, thanks to a simplified putting approach that corrected the small margins that had plagued her first-round performance.
“On Thursday I was just missing by centimetres,” Korda admitted. “They were burning edges, lipping out. This has been kind of the common theme this year. I feel like I played so much better than my score has shown. So I honestly just went to the putting green for five minutes and simplified it.”
European Contenders
Among European golfers, Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen leads the way at eight under, while England’s Charley Hull struggled with three bogeys alongside six birdies, finishing the round at six under. Hull’s compatriot Lottie Woad sits just behind at five under, leaving both chasing Thitikul by a significant margin.
Championship Stakes
The CME Group Tour Championship concludes the LPGA season and carries a total purse of $11 million (£8.4 million), making it the richest event in women’s golf. With Thitikul in prime form and chasing back-to-back titles, the weekend promises high drama as the world’s top players battle for the season finale crown.
Current Leaderboard (Top Five After Round Two)
- Jeeno Thitikul (Tha) –14
- Kim Sei-young (Kor) –11
- Nasa Hataoka (Jpn) –10
- Somi Lee (Kor) –10
- Nelly Korda (US) –9
Thitikul’s performance demonstrates why she is currently the world number one, combining precision iron play, confident putting, and unwavering composure under pressure. As the weekend unfolds, the focus will be on whether she can maintain her lead and secure another landmark victory in her burgeoning career
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