Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul moves into contention at her home LPGA
tournament in Thailand
[February 20, 2026]
By LERPONG AMSA-NGIAM
CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — World No. 1-ranked Jeeno
Thitikul shot a 9-under 63 Friday that moved her into second place at
her home LPGA Thailand tournament on the Siam Country Club Old Course
near Bangkok.
Thitikul, who celebrated her 23rd birthday Friday, trails second-rounder
leader Somi Lee by three strokes after Lee shot a 61, including an eagle
2 from the fairway on the 15th hole. |
Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand reacts after putting on the first hole during
the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya,
Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan) |
|
The South Korean player had a two-round total of 17-under 127.
“I had the best score of my life today so I’m a little
emotional," Lee said. “But since the competition is not over and
there are still two more days left, I just want to celebrate
this a little bit.”
The tournament about 125 kilometers (75 miles) east of Bangkok
is the first of three events in Asia in consecutive weeks, to be
followed by those in Singapore and China in the so-called early
Asian swing on the LPGA Tour.
Japan’s Chizzy Iwai shot a bogey-free 62 that moved her into a
tie for third place with New Zealander Lydia Ko (64), four off
the lead.
Thitikul had four birdies and an eagle over the last six holes
of her front nine Friday, then birdied her 10th and 11th holes
to move into the lead after trailing by two after the first
round. But Thitikul cooled off on the remainder of her back
nine, registering six straight pars before a birdie on 18.
“Obviously, it was nice to make a lot of birdies today and hear
so many birthday wishes from the fans," Thitikul said.
Canadian Brooke Henderson had a 68 and was at 5-under, 12
strokes behind Lee. Defending champion Angel Yin shot 75 and was
at even par.
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