For most of Sunday in Hawaii, Jeeno Thitikul looked like she was cruising to her fourth win of the year. Then she made double bogey on the 16th. What she did over the last two holes is why she’s now level with Nelly Korda for the most LPGA wins in 2026, heading into an Asia swing where she’s the defending champion in Shanghai. Here’s how the Lotte Championship finished and what it does to the Player of the Year race.
The short version
- Thitikul shot 68 to finish at 21-under 267 at Hoakalei Country Club and won by three over Ina Yoon.
- After a double bogey at 16, she holed a 30-footer for birdie at 17 as Yoon hit her tee shot into the water, then birdied the par-5 18th.
- It’s her fourth win of 2026, her best single season, and her 11th LPGA title overall. She earned $450,000.
- That ties world No. 1 Nelly Korda for the most wins this year. Thitikul is world No. 2.
- Six events remain, starting with the Buick LPGA Shanghai (Oct. 15–18), where she’s the defending champion.
How the Finish Played Out
Thitikul had the tournament under control until the par-4 16th, where a double bogey dropped her from 19-under and let Ina Yoon back in. The swing came on 17: Thitikul rolled in a birdie putt from about 30 feet while Yoon drove into the water. Thitikul then birdied the closing par 5 to turn a one-hole wobble into a three-shot win. Afterward she credited a calmer approach this year, focusing on her breathing and staying in her own bubble instead of watching the leaderboard.
| Pos. | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand) | −21 (267) |
| 2 | Ina Yoon (South Korea) | −18 |
| T7 | Grace Kim (Australia) | −14 |
Thitikul’s 2026 Wins
| Event |
|---|
| Honda LPGA Thailand |
| Mizuho Americas Open |
| The Standard Portland Classic |
| Lotte Championship |
She’s 23 and has won seven times in the last two seasons. The Lotte win also took her past $20 million in career LPGA earnings. She became the first Thai woman in a decade to win at least four LPGA events in one season.
What It Means for Player of the Year
Before Hawaii, the Player of the Year conversation was mostly about Nelly Korda and Ryu Hae-ran, who split four of the five majors (our LPGA season guide has the full list). Korda won the Chevron and the U.S. Women’s Open on the way to four wins; Ryu won the KPMG Women’s PGA and the Evian. Thitikul hasn’t won a major this year, but four wins and a run of form in the fall make this a three-player race. She also won the CME Group Tour Championship last year, and the finale carries the season’s biggest points and the biggest check.
A double bogey on 16 turned into a three-shot win. That’s the kind of finish that wins Player of the Year races.
What’s Left on the LPGA Schedule
| Dates | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 15–18 | Buick LPGA Shanghai (Thitikul defends) | China |
| Ends Oct. 25 | BMW Ladies Championship | South Korea |
| Ends Nov. 1 | Maybank Championship | Malaysia |
| Ends Nov. 8 | Toto Japan Classic | Japan |
| Ends Nov. 15 | The Annika | Florida |
| Ends Nov. 22 | CME Group Tour Championship | Naples, Florida |
What to Watch
- Shanghai. Thitikul defends in two weeks, after an off week. A fifth win would give her the outright lead in wins.
- Korda’s schedule. How many Asia-swing events Korda plays will shape the Player of the Year math.
- Ina Yoon. A runner-up finish is a big step; watch her at the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea.
- The CME. Thitikul is the defending champion at the season finale too.
Who won the 2026 Lotte Championship?
Jeeno Thitikul, at 21-under 267, three shots ahead of Ina Yoon at Hoakalei Country Club on Oahu, Hawaii.
How many LPGA wins does Jeeno Thitikul have in 2026?
Four: the Honda LPGA Thailand, Mizuho Americas Open, The Standard Portland Classic and the Lotte Championship. That’s 11 career LPGA wins.
What is the next LPGA event?
The Buick LPGA Shanghai, Oct. 15–18, 2026, the first stop on the Asia swing.
Sources
- Thitikul wins Lotte Championship for fourth title of 2026 — The Nation
- Thitikul is the LPGA’s hottest player — Australian Golf Digest
- Thitikul turns a late scare into a win — Athlon Sports
- Thitikul wins 2026 Lotte Championship — Golf Channel
- Korda wins U.S. Women’s Open — Just Women’s Sports
- 2026 LPGA Tour — Wikipedia
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