Jeeno Thitikul vs Jacob Bridgeman: Huge Prize Money Gap Between Same-Week Winners

via: Imago
via: Imago
Two champions. Same week. Two dominant performances, yet Jeeno Thitikul and Jacob Bridgeman walked away with very different paychecks.
Jeeno (Atthaya) Thitikul is the current World No. 1 in women’s golf and the winner of the 2026 Honda LPGA Thailand.
Jeeno Thitikul at the 2026 Honda LPGA Thailand
On 22 February, the 23-year-old claimed her eighth LPGA Tour title with a total score of 24-under-par 264 at Siam Country Club Old Course in Pattaya. The victory marked her first professional win in Thailand.
She finished one stroke ahead of Japan’s Chisato “Chizzy” Iwai. After the round, Thitikul said the result was an “A triple-plus,” adding that it was meaningful because her mother watched her win an LPGA event in person for the first time after several previous attempts.

LPGA, Golf Damen Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand - 20 Feb 2026 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand seen during the 3rd round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament. Pattaya Thailand Copyright: xKittinunxRodsupanx/xSOPAxImagesx DSC_0687
LPGA, Golf Damen Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand - 20 Feb 2026 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand seen during the 3rd round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament. Pattaya Thailand Copyright: xKittinunxRodsupanx/xSOPAxImagesx DSC_0687
The 23-year-old earned $270,000 as the winner’s share from the total $1.8 million purse.
With that result, she also collected 500 points in the Race to the CME Globe standings, as the LPGA Tour season continued without a 36-hole cut in this 72-player field event.
Jacob Bridgeman at the 2026 Genesis Invitational
Jacob Bridgeman claimed the 2026 Genesis Invitational for his first PGA Tour title, winning in his debut appearance at the event.
The 26-year-old Clemson graduate finished at 18-under-par 266 at Riviera Country Club.
He began the final round with a six-shot lead and closed with a three-foot par putt on the 18th hole to secure a one-shot victory over Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama.
With the victory, he received $4,000,000 from the $20 million purse.
According to Golf Digest, along with the winner’s check, Bridgeman earned 700 FedEx Cup points and approximately 70 Official World Golf Ranking points.
The payout structure at this Signature Event differs from standard tournaments, with the champion earning $4 million, while second place paid $2.2 million, and top-10 finishers cleared the $500,000 mark.
What do you think of the pay gap? Tell us in the comments and follow Daily Club Golf for more updates!
Written by
Aditi Singh
Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu