A Girl from a Small Village in Ratchaburi, Thailand Becomes the World's Best

Despite Finger Injury, Wins Tour Championship for Second Consecutive Year
Started Golf at Age Six on Father's Advice, Sets Youngest Champion Record
Changed Name from Atthaya to Gino as a Global Strategy
A Player with No Weaknesses, Pursuing Humil

A new superstar has emerged: Gino Tittikun of Thailand, currently ranked number one in the world.

This year, she dominated the LPGA Tour in the United States. On November 23 (local time), she secured her second consecutive victory at the season-ending 2025 CME Group Tour Championship. The winner’s prize was 4 million dollars (approximately 5.87 billion won). It was her third win of the LPGA Tour season and the seventh of her career.

This season, she ranked first in Player of the Year points (199), earnings (7,578,330 dollars), scoring average (68.68), and CME Group points (4,067). Her performance evoked memories of Nelly Korda of the United States, who dominated the tour last year with seven wins.

Gino Tittikun is a superstar who became the world's best at the age of 22. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

She showcased overwhelming skill, being the only three-time champion on tour this year. She broke the all-time lowest season scoring average record (68.696) set by Annika Sorenstam of Sweden in 2002. She also surpassed her own record for single-season LPGA Tour earnings (6,059,309 dollars) set last year.

Tittikun is an athlete with innate talent. She was born on February 20, 2003, in a small village in Ratchaburi, Thailand. She began sports at her father’s suggestion. At age six, she chose golf over tennis after some deliberation.

She excelled even as an amateur. In July 2017, she drew global attention by winning the Ladies European Thailand Championship as an amateur, becoming the youngest champion at 14 years, 4 months, and 19 days. In 2019, she became the number one ranked female amateur golfer in the world, holding the top spot for a total of 12 weeks.

In 2021, she finished third in the LPGA Tour Qualifying Series Final, earning full tour status. At age 19, she debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2022 and claimed two victories. Her first win came at the JTBC Classic in March of that year. She went on to win the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in September, earning Rookie of the Year honors. On October 31, 2022, she reached the number one spot in the world rankings, setting a new milestone in Thai golf history. In 2023, she led Thailand to victory in the International Crown, a women’s golf team competition, with a perfect 5-0 record.

Her future is even more promising than her present. In 2024, she changed her name from Atthaya Tittikun to Gino Tittikun. Her father is of Chinese descent, and in Thai, “Gino” means “Chinese.” The change was a strategic decision to make pronunciation easier and to enhance global marketing. She has established a unique personal brand.

Tittikun faced a challenging year. She suffered a finger injury and was unable to maintain perfect condition. Despite the difficulties, she produced outstanding results. On August 4, 2025, she reclaimed the world number one ranking (13.69 points) after two years and nine months. She has maintained a firm grip on the top spot, with a 5.03-point lead over second-ranked Korda (8.66 points).

Jinno Titikun ranked first this year in the LPGA Tour in earnings, Player of the Year, and scoring average. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Tittikun is known for her strong self-management. Even after reaching number one in the world, she remains humble and does not overestimate herself. She maintains a cool perspective and never stops practicing or analyzing her game. “I don’t think I’m that good,” she said, adding, “Golf isn’t just a sport for me-it’s a process of testing myself every day.”

Her perfect swing balance stands out. She combines precise impact, balance, and consistency. Her unwavering concentration is a particular strength. Under intense pressure, she remains calm and focuses on her own play. Tittikun said, “When my game isn’t going well, I tell myself, ‘Be patient, and the opportunity will come.’”

Tittikun is a player without weaknesses, as the data proves. She played only 20 out of 35 tournaments this year, yet recorded 45 rounds in the 60s, ranking second in this category. Her average driving distance is 267.78 yards (33rd), fairway accuracy is 74.01% (46th), and greens in regulation is 76.17% (3rd). Her putting on greens is also exceptional-she averages 1.70 putts per hole when hitting the green, ranking first.

Gino Tittikun (left) achieved a decisive victory over Nelly Korda this year and rose to become the best player on the LPGA Tour. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

She enjoys life on tour and does not obsess over results. She learns from every tournament, which is the key to her longevity. “At major tournaments, I’m happy just to make the cut. I’m grateful for the journey I’m on now,” she said modestly. She is only 22 years old, yet displays both humility and strong self-belief. She is a young player who could dominate the tour for the next decade.

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