Tittikun Clinches Second Consecutive Final Victory: "Now I'm the Strongest"

CME Group Tour Championship Victory by Four Strokes
Three Wins This Season, Seventh Career Title, $5.9 Million in Prize Money
Anannarukarn Finishes Second, Korda Third, Kim Seyoung Sixth

World No. 1 Gino Tittikun of Thailand has achieved another major victory for the second consecutive year.

On November 23 (local time), at the Tiburon Golf Club (par 72, 6,734 yards) in Naples, Florida, Gino Tittikun recorded five birdies and one bogey in the fourth round of the 2025 season’s final LPGA Tour event, the CME Group Tour Championship (total prize money: $11 million). With a 4-under-par 68 in the final round, she finished with a total score of 26-under-par 262, winning the tournament by four strokes.

Gino Tittikun is cheering with both arms raised immediately after winning the CME Group Tour Championship. Naples, USA ? Photo by AFP Yonhap News

With this victory, Tittikun demonstrated her strength by winning back-to-back CME Group Tour Championship titles. She is the second player to win this event in consecutive years, following Jin Young Ko in 2020 and 2021. This marks her seventh career LPGA Tour win, and she received a winner’s prize of $4 million (approximately 5.9 billion won). She was the only player to win three times this year. Tittikun also topped both the Player of the Year and Money List rankings. Notably, her average score of 68.681 is the lowest in history, surpassing Annika Sorenstam’s (Sweden) record of 68.697.

This is the first time Tittikun has been named Player of the Year. She also maintained her position at the top of the Money List for the second consecutive year. She reclaimed the No. 1 spot in scoring average for the first time in two years since 2023. Tittikun is the first player in three years, since Lydia Ko (New Zealand) in 2022, to sweep all three major categories: Player of the Year, Money List, and scoring average. She also became the season’s highest earner, collecting an impressive $7,578,330 (approximately 11.2 billion won) this year.

Gino Tittikun is smiling brightly while holding the trophy right after winning the CME Group Tour Championship. Naples, USA ? Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Tittikun began the final round with a six-shot lead, making a birdie on the first hole (par 5) but giving it back with a bogey on the second hole (par 4). She regained momentum with a birdie on the sixth hole (par 5), then secured three more birdies on the 10th, 13th, and 18th holes, never allowing her competitors to catch up. Her powerful average driving distance of 273 yards and 27 putts per round were key factors in her victory.

In her post-win interview, Tittikun said, "I was happy to be able to play in the final tournament. I really love this golf course," adding, "My wrist hurts, but it’s not serious. I hope more young aspiring golfers will be inspired to learn the game by watching me play," she said with a bright smile.

Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand finished strong in second place (22-under-par 266). World No. 2 Nelly Korda of the United States shot four under par on the day but had to settle for third place (20-under-par 268). Despite dominating the tour with seven wins last year, Korda did not win any tournaments this season. Gaby Lopez of Mexico finished fourth (19-under-par 269), and Nasa Hataoka of Japan was fifth (17-under-par 271).

Se Young Kim is teeing off at the 11th hole during the 4th round of the CME Group Tour Championship. Naples, USA ? Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Se Young Kim shot a 1-under-par 71 to finish sixth (16-under-par 272). Although she aimed for a come-from-behind victory after starting the day in fourth place, she had to settle for her 10th top-10 finish of the year. Kim had recorded 11 consecutive rounds in the 60s this season through the third round, but that streak ended with her score of 71 in the final round. Lee Somi and Yoo Haeran tied for 10th (13-under-par 275), Lim Jinhui tied for 13th (12-under-par 276), and Choi Hyejin finished tied for 26th (10-under-par 278).

With the conclusion of the 2025 season, the LPGA Tour will now take a break for about two months. The 2026 season will kick off with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida, on January 29, 2026.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.