THE COLONY, Texas — Thailand's rising star Jeenathan "Jeeno" Thitikul fired a 4-under 68 in challenging conditions to seize an early lead during the first round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East. The 21-year-old, a two-time LPGA Tour winner, showcased her trademark precision and composure to edge ahead of a stacked field at the second major of the season.
Thitikul's bogey-free round featured four birdies, including back-to-back gains on the par-5 14th and par-3 15th, where she stuck her tee shot to three feet. Speaking to reporters afterward, the former world No. 1 emphasized patience: "The wind was switching directions all day, so club selection was tricky. I just focused on hitting fairways and giving myself chances."
Thitikul's Strategic Mastery
The Thai star's performance was particularly impressive given the course's demanding setup. Fields Ranch East, part of the PGA Frisco complex, played to 6,574 yards with thick rough and firm greens running at 12 on the Stimpmeter. Thitikul hit 12 of 14 fairways and 15 greens in regulation, capitalizing on her strengths:
- Ranked 2nd on tour in driving accuracy (85%)
- 3rd in greens in regulation (77.5%)
- Leads LPGA in scrambling (78.3% when missing GIR)
Her caddie, Mick Seaborn, noted the deliberate approach: "We charted this course like a math exam. Jeeno's ability to shape shots both ways into these winds allowed us to attack pins others avoided. That 6-iron on 15 was one of her best swings all year."
Chasing Pack Stays Close
A trio of players sit one stroke back at 3-under 69, including:
- World No. 2 Lilia Vu (USA)
- Defending champion Ruoning Yin (China)
- Hye-Jin Choi (Korea)
Vu, who won the season's first major at The Chevron Championship, overcame a slow start with four birdies in her final seven holes. "I was grinding out there," she admitted. "The back nine was playing downwind, so I knew if I hung in there, I could make a move. That eagle putt on 14 really got me going."
Notable Performances
Other contenders include 2021 champion Nelly Korda, who opened with a 70 despite battling allergies, and world No. 1 Jin Young Ko at even-par 72. Lexi Thompson's 73 included a bizarre ruling on the 7th hole when her ball embedded in a sprinkler head, requiring a rules official to grant free relief.
Course Conditions Test Field
With temperatures reaching 94°F (34°C) and winds gusting to 20 mph, only 12 players broke par in the opening round. The par-4 18th played as the toughest hole (4.56 average), while the par-5 2nd yielded the most birdies. PGA of America officials hinted they may adjust hole locations for Round 2, stating: "We want to test the best players in the world, but we also want to be fair. Some pin positions today were borderline."
Thitikul's Major Breakthrough?
Despite her rapid ascent—Thitikul won Rookie of the Year in 2022 and reached world No. 1 that November—she's yet to claim a major title. Her best finish was T4 at last year's U.S. Women's Open. Sports psychologist Dr. Bhrett McCabe, who works with several LPGA players, analyzed her mindset: "Jeeno has that rare combination of technical brilliance and emotional resilience. When she's in contention, she actually gets calmer."
The second round begins Friday at 7:15 a.m. local time, with Thitikul teeing off at 1:17 p.m. alongside Brooke Henderson and Rose Zhang. Forecasts predict similar heat but lighter winds, potentially leading to lower scores. As Thitikul noted: "It's only Thursday. There's so much golf left. I just want to keep doing what I'm doing and see where it takes me."
With $1.5 million going to the winner and 650 Race to CME Globe points at stake, the tournament promises high drama. The Women's PGA Championship has seen six different winners in the past six years, and if Thitikul maintains her form, she could become the seventh—and the first Thai player to hoist the trophy.
