Latest news with #Thitikul
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Five teams to watch at Dow Championship, including stars Jeeno Thitikul and Ruoning Yin
When it comes to favorites at this week's Dow Championship, it's hard to look past the defending champs: Jeeno Thitikul and Ruoning Yin. The sixth edition of the popular event features 72 teams competing at Midland Country Club for a $3.3 million purse. Four of the top five players in the world are in the field, with Thitikul (No. 2) and Yin (No. 4) actually paired together. They're one of three teams who have won it before back together in Michigan, joined by Cheyenne Knight/Elizabeth Szokol (2023) and Ariya/Moriya Jutanugarn (2021). World No. 1 Nelly Korda is the only top-five player taking the week off. Fifth-ranked Haeran Ryu has teamed up with Rose Zhang. The first and third rounds of the event will be played in the foursomes format (alternate shot), and the second and fourth rounds will be played in the four-ball (best ball) format. The winning team receives a standard two-year winner's exemption on the LPGA priority list. Rolex Rankings, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year points will not be allocated. Here are five teams to watch: Won together in their tournament debut last year. The pair of 22-year-old friends have 10 LPGA titles between them. In 2025, Thitikul has one win and seven top-10 finishes while Yin has three top 10s in 10 starts, including runner-up showings at both the Chevron Championship and Black Desert Championship. The Iwai twins look to join the Jutanugarn sisters when it comes Dow team success. Chisato won earlier this season in Mexico at the Riviera Maya Open and has eight titles on the JLPGA. Akie, meanwhile, has six JLPGA titles and a pair of runner-up finishes on the LPGA this season. Akie is currently ranked 25th in the world while Chisato is 27th. A team that first came together at the last minute at the 2023 Solheim Cup, Khang and Thompson went 2-0-0 in foursomes together in Spain. Thompson, now a part-time player on the LPGA, is playing her third week in a row in Midland, coming off two top-12 finishes. She partnered last year with Brooke Henderson and finished T-8. A pair of Solheim Cup stalwarts who play on opposite teams will come together at Midland for the first time. Kupcho won the Dow with Lizette Salas in 2022 and finished runner-up last year with Ally Ewing. Kupcho, winner of the 2025 ShopRite LPGA, beat Maguire in a playoff three years ago at the Meijer LPGA Classic . At the 2021 Solheim Cup, Maguire defeated Kupcho in a pivotal singles match that set the tone in an eventual European victory. Pair of Japanese stars are rookies in name only. Yamashita is a 13-time winner on the JLPGA, while Takeda is a two-time winner on the LPGA and eight-time winner in Japan. The pair combine to have 11 top-10 finishes this season on the LPGA.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Minjee Lee keeps cool to bag third Major title
Australian Minjee Lee captured her third Major title with a composed victory at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship on Sunday. Lee carded a closing two-over-par 74 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco for a tournament total of four-under-par 284, three shots ahead of American Auston Kim and Thailand's Chanettee Wannasaen. This was Lee's first victory on the LPGA Tour since the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship. Earlier rounds of 69, 72 and 69 had given Lee a four-shot lead over Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul heading into the final day. Although the chasing pack managed to narrow the deficit to two shots at various stages, the Australian handled the pressure and windy conditions with poise to seal the win with five bogeys and three birdies. 'It feels pretty amazing. I feel like I really deserve this one. I put a lot of hard work into it. I had to really dig deep for today's score, but I feel like I was pretty solid over the four days to have this trophy in my hand now,' said Lee, whose previous Major wins came at the 2022 U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally and The Amundi Evian Championship in 2021. Kim and Wannasaen both shot solid 68s to move up the leaderboard into a share of second place on one-under-par 287, two shots clear of Thitikul and Japan's Chisato Iwai. World No. 2 Thitikul, who had led the first and second rounds, had disappointing weekend scores of 76 and 75 to settle for joint fourth place with Iwai on one-over-par 289. The popular Thai star has won five times on the LPGA Tour but is still hunting for a maiden Major title. Lee's first LPGA Tour win since the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship took her title tally to 11. The 29-year-old now needs to win the AIG Women's Open or The Chevron Championship to complete the career Grand Slam. Lee is the third Australian to win three or more Major championships, joining Karrie Webb (7) and Jan Stephenson (3). The KPMG Women's PGA Championship has now been won by four Australians– Lee (2025), Hannah Green (2019), Webb (2001) and Stephenson (1982). 'It's just really special. Only three other names on this trophy are Australian, so I think it's such a great privilege to be able to have my name with them as well. I guess it shows the grit of the Aussies,' noted Lee. The next stop for the LPGA Tour is Midland Country Club in Michigan for this week's two-player team format Dow Championship. This will be followed by a one-week break before the players head across the Atlantic for the tour's much-awaited European swing, which includes the final two Majors of the 2025 season – The Amundi Evian Championship (July 10-13) at Evian Resort in France and the AIG Women's Open (July 31-August 3) at Royal Porthcawl in Wales.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Minjee Lee bags third Major title at KPMG Women's PGA Championship
Australian Minjee Lee captured her third Major title with a composed victory at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship on Sunday. Lee carded a closing two-over-par 74 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco for a tournament total of four-under-par 284, three shots ahead of American Auston Kim and Thailand's Chanettee Wannasaen. This was Lee's first victory on the LPGA Tour since the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship. Earlier rounds of 69, 72 and 69 had given Lee a four-shot lead over Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul heading into the final day. Although the chasing pack managed to narrow the deficit to two shots at various stages, the Australian handled the pressure and windy conditions with poise to seal the win with five bogeys and three birdies. 'It feels pretty amazing. I feel like I really deserve this one. I put a lot of hard work into it. I had to really dig deep for today's score, but I feel like I was pretty solid over the four days to have this trophy in my hand now,' said Lee, whose previous Major wins came at the 2022 U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally and The Amundi Evian Championship in 2021. Kim and Wannasaen both shot solid 68s to move up the leaderboard into a share of second place on one-under-par 287, two shots clear of Thitikul and Japan's Chisato Iwai. World No. 2 Thitikul, who had led the first and second rounds, had disappointing weekend scores of 76 and 75 to settle for joint fourth place with Iwai on one-over-par 289. The popular Thai star has won five times on the LPGA Tour but is still hunting for a maiden Major title. Lee's first LPGA Tour win since the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship took her title tally to 11. The 29-year-old now needs to win the AIG Women's Open or The Chevron Championship to complete the career Grand Slam. Lee is the third Australian to win three or more Major championships, joining Karrie Webb (7) and Jan Stephenson (3). The KPMG Women's PGA Championship has now been won by four Australians– Lee (2025), Hannah Green (2019), Webb (2001) and Stephenson (1982). 'It's just really special. Only three other names on this trophy are Australian, so I think it's such a great privilege to be able to have my name with them as well. I guess it shows the grit of the Aussies,' noted Lee. The next stop for the LPGA Tour is Midland Country Club in Michigan for this week's two-player team format Dow Championship. This will be followed by a one-week break before the players head across the Atlantic for the tour's much-awaited European swing, which includes the final two Majors of the 2025 season – The Amundi Evian Championship (July 10-13) at Evian Resort in France and the AIG Women's Open (July 31-August 3) at Royal Porthcawl in Wales.
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Aussie star on the brink of drought-breaking $2.8m major
Minjee Lee is on the precipice of landing a third career major and one of the biggest pay days in women's golf after seizing a commanding lead at the PGA Championship in Texas. The Australian superstar defied more brutal conditions with a sublime third-round three-under-par 69 to skip out to a four-shot lead at PGA Frisco's scorching and windswept Fields Ranch East course. Lee started the day three shots behind world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and was unable to make any inroads on the Thai before hitting top gear around the turn. Beautiful off the tee and with the broomstick in hand, the Perth prodigy collected her first birdie of the day on the ninth hole, then nabbed two more on 14 and 15 to turn a three-shot deficit into a four-stroke buffer. After hitting 11 of 14 fairways and needing just 26 putts, Lee finished round three at six under after posting the only bogey-free round of the championship. 'I'm feeling pretty good,' she said. 'I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position. 'So, yeah, I'm going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow.' Thitikul briefly reached six under herself before stumbling with four back-nine bogeys in a rough four-over round of 76. The leading duo are the only players in red numbers as the season's third major shapes as a Sunday match-play showdown. South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (72), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (73) and American Lexi Thompson (75) are tied for third at one over, seven shots behind the runaway leader. 'Obviously major Sunday is a different story,' Lee said. 'This is round three, so I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead. 'So I'm just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. 'That's what I'm going to focus on.' Even Thitikul was in awe of Lee's performance. 'Three under par today, I was like, wow, that's really impressive,' said the former world No.1. 'She played absolutely A-game for sure.' Victory for Lee would earn the 29-year-old the third leg of the women's golf grand slam following her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success. Lee is also hoping to snap a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career. Victory would also secure Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million), the equal-highest pay day in her game's history. Perhaps most gratifying of all, the West Australian can bury the demons from last year's spectacular final-round car crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth. If she does atone, Lee will likely endure another long day at the office after Saturday's round took some six hours. The one-time world No.2 is happy to be playing in the final group once again with the bubbly Thitikul. 'Jeeno is great,' Lee said. 'She's fast. She has good chat when we are waiting. We had a nice little chat. 'I've played with her a bunch of times already, so, yep.' World No.1 Nelly Korda will start the final round eight shots back in a share of sixth after shooting a 72. Australian Grace Kim is a further shot back at three over after firing a brilliant 66, the low third round, to surge up the leaderboard.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Feeling good': Minjee Lee on verge of third major win
Minjee Lee is on the precipice of landing a third career major and one of the biggest pay days in women's golf after seizing a commanding lead at the PGA Championship in Texas. The Australian superstar defied more brutal conditions with a sublime third-round three-under-par 69 to skip out to a four-shot lead at PGA Frisco's scorching and windswept Fields Ranch East course. Lee started the day three shots behind world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and was unable to make any inroads on the Thai before hitting top gear around the turn. Beautiful off the tee and with the broomstick in hand, the Perth prodigy collected her first birdie of the day on the ninth hole, then nabbed two more on 14 and 15 to turn a three-shot deficit into a four-stroke buffer. After hitting 11 of 14 fairways and needing just 26 putts, Lee finished round three at six under after posting the only bogey-free round of the championship. "I'm feeling pretty good," she said. "I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position. "So, yeah, I'm going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow." Thitikul briefly reached six under herself before stumbling with four back-nine bogeys in a rough four-over round of 76. The leading duo are the only players in red numbers as the season's third major shapes as a Sunday match-play showdown. South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (72), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (73) and American Lexi Thompson (75) are tied for third at one over, seven shots behind the runaway leader. "Obviously major Sunday is a different story," Lee said. "This is round three, so I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead. "So I'm just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. "That's what I'm going to focus on." Even Thitikul was in awe of Lee's performance. "Three under par today, I was like, wow, that's really impressive," said the former world No.1. "She played absolutely A-game for sure." Victory for Lee would earn the 29-year-old the third leg of the women's golf grand slam following her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success. Lee is also hoping to snap a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career. Victory would also secure Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million), the equal-highest pay day in her game's history. Perhaps most gratifying of all, the West Australian can bury the demons from last year's spectacular final-round car crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth. If she does atone, Lee will likely endure another long day at the office after Saturday's round took some six hours. The one-time world No.2 is happy to be playing in the final group once again with the bubbly Thitikul. "Jeeno is great," Lee said. "She's fast. She has good chat when we are waiting. We had a nice little chat. "I've played with her a bunch of times already, so, yep." World No.1 Nelly Korda will start the final round eight shots back in a share of sixth after shooting a 72. Australian Grace Kim is a further shot back at three over after firing a brilliant 66, the low third round, to surge up the leaderboard. Minjee Lee is on the precipice of landing a third career major and one of the biggest pay days in women's golf after seizing a commanding lead at the PGA Championship in Texas. The Australian superstar defied more brutal conditions with a sublime third-round three-under-par 69 to skip out to a four-shot lead at PGA Frisco's scorching and windswept Fields Ranch East course. Lee started the day three shots behind world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and was unable to make any inroads on the Thai before hitting top gear around the turn. Beautiful off the tee and with the broomstick in hand, the Perth prodigy collected her first birdie of the day on the ninth hole, then nabbed two more on 14 and 15 to turn a three-shot deficit into a four-stroke buffer. After hitting 11 of 14 fairways and needing just 26 putts, Lee finished round three at six under after posting the only bogey-free round of the championship. "I'm feeling pretty good," she said. "I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position. "So, yeah, I'm going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow." Thitikul briefly reached six under herself before stumbling with four back-nine bogeys in a rough four-over round of 76. The leading duo are the only players in red numbers as the season's third major shapes as a Sunday match-play showdown. South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (72), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (73) and American Lexi Thompson (75) are tied for third at one over, seven shots behind the runaway leader. "Obviously major Sunday is a different story," Lee said. "This is round three, so I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead. "So I'm just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. "That's what I'm going to focus on." Even Thitikul was in awe of Lee's performance. "Three under par today, I was like, wow, that's really impressive," said the former world No.1. "She played absolutely A-game for sure." Victory for Lee would earn the 29-year-old the third leg of the women's golf grand slam following her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success. Lee is also hoping to snap a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career. Victory would also secure Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million), the equal-highest pay day in her game's history. Perhaps most gratifying of all, the West Australian can bury the demons from last year's spectacular final-round car crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth. If she does atone, Lee will likely endure another long day at the office after Saturday's round took some six hours. The one-time world No.2 is happy to be playing in the final group once again with the bubbly Thitikul. "Jeeno is great," Lee said. "She's fast. She has good chat when we are waiting. We had a nice little chat. "I've played with her a bunch of times already, so, yep." World No.1 Nelly Korda will start the final round eight shots back in a share of sixth after shooting a 72. Australian Grace Kim is a further shot back at three over after firing a brilliant 66, the low third round, to surge up the leaderboard. Minjee Lee is on the precipice of landing a third career major and one of the biggest pay days in women's golf after seizing a commanding lead at the PGA Championship in Texas. The Australian superstar defied more brutal conditions with a sublime third-round three-under-par 69 to skip out to a four-shot lead at PGA Frisco's scorching and windswept Fields Ranch East course. Lee started the day three shots behind world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and was unable to make any inroads on the Thai before hitting top gear around the turn. Beautiful off the tee and with the broomstick in hand, the Perth prodigy collected her first birdie of the day on the ninth hole, then nabbed two more on 14 and 15 to turn a three-shot deficit into a four-stroke buffer. After hitting 11 of 14 fairways and needing just 26 putts, Lee finished round three at six under after posting the only bogey-free round of the championship. "I'm feeling pretty good," she said. "I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position. "So, yeah, I'm going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow." Thitikul briefly reached six under herself before stumbling with four back-nine bogeys in a rough four-over round of 76. The leading duo are the only players in red numbers as the season's third major shapes as a Sunday match-play showdown. South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (72), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (73) and American Lexi Thompson (75) are tied for third at one over, seven shots behind the runaway leader. "Obviously major Sunday is a different story," Lee said. "This is round three, so I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead. "So I'm just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. "That's what I'm going to focus on." Even Thitikul was in awe of Lee's performance. "Three under par today, I was like, wow, that's really impressive," said the former world No.1. "She played absolutely A-game for sure." Victory for Lee would earn the 29-year-old the third leg of the women's golf grand slam following her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success. Lee is also hoping to snap a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career. Victory would also secure Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million), the equal-highest pay day in her game's history. Perhaps most gratifying of all, the West Australian can bury the demons from last year's spectacular final-round car crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth. If she does atone, Lee will likely endure another long day at the office after Saturday's round took some six hours. The one-time world No.2 is happy to be playing in the final group once again with the bubbly Thitikul. "Jeeno is great," Lee said. "She's fast. She has good chat when we are waiting. We had a nice little chat. "I've played with her a bunch of times already, so, yep." World No.1 Nelly Korda will start the final round eight shots back in a share of sixth after shooting a 72. Australian Grace Kim is a further shot back at three over after firing a brilliant 66, the low third round, to surge up the leaderboard. Minjee Lee is on the precipice of landing a third career major and one of the biggest pay days in women's golf after seizing a commanding lead at the PGA Championship in Texas. The Australian superstar defied more brutal conditions with a sublime third-round three-under-par 69 to skip out to a four-shot lead at PGA Frisco's scorching and windswept Fields Ranch East course. Lee started the day three shots behind world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and was unable to make any inroads on the Thai before hitting top gear around the turn. Beautiful off the tee and with the broomstick in hand, the Perth prodigy collected her first birdie of the day on the ninth hole, then nabbed two more on 14 and 15 to turn a three-shot deficit into a four-stroke buffer. After hitting 11 of 14 fairways and needing just 26 putts, Lee finished round three at six under after posting the only bogey-free round of the championship. "I'm feeling pretty good," she said. "I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position. "So, yeah, I'm going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow." Thitikul briefly reached six under herself before stumbling with four back-nine bogeys in a rough four-over round of 76. The leading duo are the only players in red numbers as the season's third major shapes as a Sunday match-play showdown. South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (72), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (73) and American Lexi Thompson (75) are tied for third at one over, seven shots behind the runaway leader. "Obviously major Sunday is a different story," Lee said. "This is round three, so I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead. "So I'm just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. "That's what I'm going to focus on." Even Thitikul was in awe of Lee's performance. "Three under par today, I was like, wow, that's really impressive," said the former world No.1. "She played absolutely A-game for sure." Victory for Lee would earn the 29-year-old the third leg of the women's golf grand slam following her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success. Lee is also hoping to snap a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career. Victory would also secure Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million), the equal-highest pay day in her game's history. Perhaps most gratifying of all, the West Australian can bury the demons from last year's spectacular final-round car crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth. If she does atone, Lee will likely endure another long day at the office after Saturday's round took some six hours. The one-time world No.2 is happy to be playing in the final group once again with the bubbly Thitikul. "Jeeno is great," Lee said. "She's fast. She has good chat when we are waiting. We had a nice little chat. "I've played with her a bunch of times already, so, yep." World No.1 Nelly Korda will start the final round eight shots back in a share of sixth after shooting a 72. Australian Grace Kim is a further shot back at three over after firing a brilliant 66, the low third round, to surge up the leaderboard.
