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Buoyed by raucous home support, the Thai star kept her composure
under sweltering conditions and intense pressure to card a
closing 4-under-par 68, finishing on 24-under-par 264.
The victory marked her eighth LPGA Tour title and her first
triumph on home soil.
“I would rate it A triple-plus," said the 23-year-old. “I know
it’s not as big as the majors, but winning in my home country
means so much to me — sometimes even more than a major.”
Thitikul became the third Thai winner of the tournament,
following Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty Tavatanakit in
2024.
The win was made even more special with her mother watching in
person after the Thai had made eight previous attempts at the
event.
“My mom came up to me after I finished 18 and she cried a lot,”
Thitikul said. “I told her I finally won in front of you. She
was emotional, and that made me emotional too.”
World No.19 Iwai mounted a strong challenge, drawing level
briefly after rolling in her second eagle of the day on the
par-5 10th.
However, the Japanese added no further birdies and signed for a
66 to finish runner-up on 23-under-par 265.
Korea’s Kim Hyo joo, the world No.9, posted a 68 to take third
at 22-under-par 266, while compatriot Lee Somi, the
opening-round leader, finished fourth on 21-under-par 267.
Former world No.1 Lydia Ko carded a 68 to tie for fifth
alongside Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who produced the
lowest round of the day with a scintillating 63 as both ended
the week on 20-under-par 268.
Defending champion Angel Yin shot 70 and was in a tie for 48th
at 5-under 283.
The tournament about 125 kilometers (75 miles) east of Bangkok
was 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.
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