Thitikul Secures Fourth Title of 2026 in Hawaii
Atthaya "Jeeno" Thitikul, ranked second in the world, captured the LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei in Hawaii, United States, for her fourth LPGA Tour victory of the 2026 season. The 23-year-old from Thailand carded a final-round four-under-par 68 to finish at 21 under, three shots clear of South Korea's Ina Yoon, who ended alone in second at 18 under. The win added to her earlier 2026 titles at the Honda LPGA Thailand, the Mizuho Americas Open and The Standard Portland Classic, and brought her a first-place prize of US$450,000, roughly 15 million Thai baht.[S1]
The victory was Thitikul's 11th LPGA Tour title since she joined the circuit as a rookie in 2022. It also made her the first Thai woman in ten years to win at least four LPGA Tour events in a single season; Ariya Jutanugarn had five victories in 2016, a haul that included the Women's British Open and the Canadian Pacific Women's Open. Thitikul now stands one win away from matching Jutanugarn as the most successful LPGA Tour player from Thailand.[S1][S2]
Late Drama on a Windy Sunday at Hoakalei
Thitikul had to recover from a late double bogey on a windy Sunday afternoon at Hoakalei Country Club. After driving into the water on the par-4 16th and losing a two-shot lead, she made a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th to swing the advantage back in her favor, then closed with a birdie on the par-5 18th to seal a three-stroke win over playing partner Yoon. Thitikul matched top-ranked Nelly Korda for the tour victory lead with the result.[S2]
Yoon, who is still seeking her first LPGA Tour win, also shot a 68. The South Korean drove into the water on the 17th and made bogey, then parred the final hole. She has six top-10 finishes this year. Miyu Yamashita of Japan took third at 17 under after a 67, while American Auston Kim carded a 67 to finish at 16 under following three consecutive bogeys on the back nine.[S2]
Other Thai Players and the Tour's Next Stop
Among the other Thai competitors in the field, Pajaree Anannarukarn tied for 13th at 12 under, Pornanong Phatlum tied for 60th at three under and Chanettee Wannasaen tied for 67th at one under. The LPGA Tour now heads to Asia for four tournaments, beginning with the Buick LPGA Shanghai from October 15 to 18.[S1][S2]
