Imago
via Ladies European Tour
Imago
via Ladies European Tour
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul captured the Buick LPGA Shanghai title Sunday in dramatic fashion. The 22-year-old rallied from four shots behind with five holes remaining. She birdied three consecutive holes and eagled the 17th to force a playoff. She’s the only golfer to win twice on the LPGA Tour this season
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Thitikul defeated Japan’s Minami Katsu on the fifth playoff hole at Qizhong Garden Golf Club. Her final-round 63 featured seven birdies and an eagle. This victory marked her second LPGA win of the 2025 season, earning $330,000.
The win carried a deeper meaning beyond prize money. Thitikul became the first two-time LPGA winner this season, ending historic parity. More importantly, it offered redemption after a devastating collapse two weeks earlier at the Kroger Queen City Championship. She four-putted the 72nd hole, gifting the title to Charley Hull.
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“I cried quite a lot,” she admitted about that loss. She wrote a six word message on her instagram post which read“Thanks to all the life lessons,” she reflected after Shanghai. “For letting me know what RESILIENCE and PATIENCE look like now.”
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Thitikul also thanked the tournament organizers, volunteers, and staff. Her social media post emphasized her gratitude and highlighted the importance of mental strength.
Her victory further solidifies her dominance on tour. She ranks first in scoring average at 68.9 and holds the season lead in total birdies with 112. The playoff win also improves her career LPGA playoff record to 5-1. Thitikul’s rise represents a new generation of LPGA stars. At just 22, she has already surpassed many veterans in wins, earnings, and global recognition. Her composure under pressure mirrors great comebacks in LPGA history, reinforcing her status as a player to watch.
Fans praised her mental resilience across social media. Many highlighted the honesty of her six-word message, seeing it as a blueprint for dealing with failure and growth.
Fans praised her mental resilience across social media. Many highlighted the honesty of her six-word message, seeing it as a blueprint for dealing with failure and growth. One fan wrote, “Only Jeeno could turn heartbreak into hope. ” Another commented, “That’s not just a caption it’s a mindset every athlete should live by.”
With two wins in 2025, Thitikul now enters the LPGA season’s final stretch as the favorite for multiple awards, including Rolex Player of the Year. Every birdie, eagle, and clutch putt underscores her mastery of patience and resilience the traits she emphasized in her heartfelt message.
Jeeno Thitikul Battles Qizhong Garden Challenges at Buick LPGA Shanghai
The 2025 Buick LPGA Shanghai at Qizhong Garden Golf Club tested players like no other event this season. Designed by Dana Fry and Jun Lu, the course features sharp undulations, lakes, and deep mounds that demand precise shot-making and strategic thinking.
World number one Jeeno Thitikul noted, “The greens here are unlike any I’ve played. You need patience and focus on every shot.” Extreme heat worsened conditions, causing stressed greens and slower ball roll, affecting putting performance across the field.
Rising stars seized the opportunity. Miranda Wang secured her first LPGA victory in dramatic fashion. “Winning here feels surreal,” Wang said. “The course forced me to think each shot through, and it paid off.” Ruoning Yin, another rising talent, finished tied for fourth, impressing analysts with her accuracy and mental toughness.
Course strategy was critical. Players who attacked pins aggressively risked bogeys on fast, contoured greens. Those who played conservatively managed pars but missed scoring chances. Golf analyst Sarah Kemp observed, “Qizhong Garden separates the mentally strong from the merely skilled. Every hole demands risk assessment and precision.”
The tournament spotlighted LPGA depth. While veterans battled familiar challenges, younger players gained confidence competing on a world-class course. Season statistics show that winners at Shanghai often improve their world rankings significantly, reflecting the tournament’s role as a proving ground.
With 72 holes spread across four demanding days, Qizhong Garden shaped not just results, but player growth. Rising stars demonstrated resilience, while experienced players leaned on strategy and composure. For the LPGA, Shanghai represents a stage where talent, grit, and course management converge, creating unforgettable moments.
Written by
Edited by
Rati Agrawal