Thitikul Survives Late Scare to Win LOTTE Championship and Tie Korda's Win Tally

Jeeno Thitikul nearly let the LOTTE Championship slip away, then grabbed it back with both hands. The Thai star survived a shocking double bogey on the 16th hole Sunday to win by three shots at Hoakalei Country Club, claiming her fourth LPGA title of 2026 and drawing level with world No. 1 Nelly Korda for the most victories on tour this season.

Thitikul carried a three-shot lead into the final round and looked in complete control until she drove into the water at the par-4 16th, her lead vanishing as Ina Yoon drew level at 19 under. The 23-year-old responded like a champion: a 20-foot birdie at the 17th and another birdie at the 18th closed out a final-round 68 and a 21-under 267 total. Yoon finished second at 18 under, with Miyu Yamashita third.

The $450,000 winner's check pushed Thitikul past $20 million in career earnings — the sixth player in LPGA history to reach the mark — and her 11th career title moved her fourth on the all-time money list. It was also her second win in three starts, and she heads to Asia as defending champion at the Buick LPGA Shanghai.