At just 22 years old, Jeeno Thitikul has already entered the record books. In 2025, she defended her title at the CME Group Tour Championship for a second straight year and posted a scoring average of 68.681, and even broke Annika Sorenstam's record of 68.897 from 2002. That triumph completed a season-long sweep of major LPGA awards and cemented her status as the tour’s standout star. Let’s take a closer look at her historic year.

Thitikul’s final round at the CME Group Tour Championship wrapped up in impressive fashion, earning her a $4 million winner’s check. She carded rounds of 67-63-64-68 for a 26-under total and steadily pulled away from the field at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida. That win not only secured the season-ending title but also confirmed her season honors. 

“I think it's an honor. Definitely all that Vare Trophy, Player of the Year, is always going to be representing how consistent you are in the whole long season, but holding that trophy feels like goosebumps because I think it's had all the history about golf from all the players,” Thitikul candidly opened up. Her words reflect exactly what the awards stand for.

The Vare Trophy recognizes season-long consistency, and Thitikul delivered that with a tour-best 68.681 scoring average. Pair that with three victories, repeated top finishes, and the CME title defense, and it’s clear why she also claimed the Rolex Player of the Year.

This was her seventh career title, and talking about her scoring average shattering Sörenstam’s mark, she is so honored. “It’s just such an honor. I mean, like, never ever dreaming of, like, having that record at all. I mean, like, that's a really amazing award that I am going to have,” Thitikul admitted in a press conference after the CME Group Tour Championship on November 23, 2025. Then again, a closer look at her season shows just how dominant she was.

A Year Worth Remembering for Jeeno Thitikul

Thitikul’s 2025 season was dominant from start to finish. She recorded 14 top-10s in 20 starts and was one of only two players to win multiple events, taking titles at the Mizuho Americas Open and the Buick LPGA Shanghai. Ending the season on a high note, she secured four top-five finishes in her last five outings and was the only player to have not made the cut just once, at the U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally. In addition, she was first on the Tour in important statistical categories and went back to being World No. 1 in August.

Her accomplishments also carried historic weight. Thitikul became only the second player from Thailand to win the Rolex Player of the Year award since 1966, after Ariya Jutanugarn in 2018. She also became the first player since Lydia Ko in 2022 to claim both the Rolex Player of the Year Award and the Vare Trophy in the same season.

Yet even in a year filled with milestones, the moment she remembers most had nothing to do with lifting a trophy. “I remember the day that I came to Dallas after the Kroger,” Thitikul said when reflecting on 2025. “I have the ice pack put on my eyes because I cried so badly. That’s what I’ll remember.” This happened at the Kroger Queen City Championship, where Jeeno Thitikul four-putted the 72nd hole. What’s ahead?

“My life will still be the same, I guess. I need to hit the ball the same. I need to putt and chip still,” she said. With trophies and titles behind her, Jeeno is stepping into 2026 with the same calm precision that defined her rise.

Written by

Dolly Bhamrick

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi