Thitikul Wins Mizuho Americas Open, Closes Gap to World No. 1

Jeeno Thitikul won her second LPGA Tour event this year at the Mizuho Americas Open. She now has 9 career LPGA wins.

Jeeno Thitikul has claimed her second LPGA Tour title of the year, winning the Mizuho Americas Open by four shots. The victory, her ninth on the tour, narrows the gap on Nelly Korda's world No. 1 position. Thitikul posted a final-round 69, navigating the course with four birdies against a single bogey.

The final day saw Thitikul, who began with a two-shot lead, extend her advantage. Her closest competitor, Ruoning Yin, briefly closed the gap to one shot with three holes remaining. However, a crucial bogey from Yin on the par-three 16th, juxtaposed with Thitikul's birdie on the same hole, created a decisive three-shot swing. Thitikul solidified her win with a final birdie on the 18th.

This win follows Thitikul's earlier success at the Honda LPGA Thailand in February. Meanwhile, Saki Baba recorded her first career ace on the LPGA Tour, a 153-yard shot with a seven-iron on the seventh hole.

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Performance Details and Race for Top Ranking

PlayerRound 4 ScoreTotal ScorePositionKey Moments
Jeeno Thitikul69-171st4 birdies, 1 bogey; birdie on 16th & 18th
Ruoning Yin--132ndBirdied five of first nine; bogey on 16th

Thitikul's consistent performance this season has put pressure on Nelly Korda, who recently regained the No. 1 ranking. Korda did not participate in this event, having had consecutive wins prior to it. Thitikul's triumph brings her closer to reclaiming the top spot, a position she held before Korda's recent surge.

Background and Context

The Mizuho Americas Open, held in New Jersey, is one of several significant events on the LPGA Tour calendar. Thitikul's victory marks a continued rise in her career, with this being her ninth LPGA title overall. Her previous win this year was in her native Thailand. The article mentions her prior frustrations on the greens in Texas and her subsequent performance in New Jersey, suggesting a turnaround in her game. This event also saw Thitikul having to overcome a near missed cut at a previous major, which she described as a "wake-up call."

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Previous reports from November 2025 indicate Thitikul also secured victories, including the CME Group Tour Championship, where she set scoring average records. She also earned the LPGA's Player of the Year award in that season, showcasing a dominant run. Despite her accolades, a major championship title remains an unfulfilled objective in her career. The reports also note instances where Thitikul has played through injury, such as a wrist issue, demonstrating a level of resilience.

Notably, some reports from May 2025 detail Thitikul's fifth LPGA victory, which occurred outside of New York City, suggesting a pattern of success in various locations. This victory also involved holding off a strong field, including top players. The distinction between past and present wins, particularly the reference to her "fifth LPGA victory outside NYC" in May 2025 and the current win in May 2026, highlights her sustained performance over multiple seasons.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Jeeno Thitikul win the Mizuho Americas Open on Sunday?
Jeeno Thitikul won by four shots after scoring a 69 in the final round, with four birdies and one bogey. She extended her lead on the back nine, securing her ninth LPGA Tour victory.
Q: Who was Thitikul's closest competitor at the Mizuho Americas Open?
Ruoning Yin was Thitikul's closest competitor, briefly closing the gap to one shot. However, Yin had a bogey on the 16th hole while Thitikul birdied it, creating a key difference.
Q: What does Thitikul's win mean for the world No. 1 golf ranking?
Thitikul's victory puts more pressure on Nelly Korda for the world No. 1 ranking. Thitikul has now won two LPGA Tour events this year and is closing the gap on Korda.
Q: Did anyone achieve a special feat at the Mizuho Americas Open besides the winner?
Yes, Saki Baba made her first career ace on the LPGA Tour. She hit a 153-yard shot on the seventh hole using a seven-iron.
Q: When and where was the Mizuho Americas Open held?
The Mizuho Americas Open was held in New Jersey and concluded on Sunday, October 5, 2026.
Q: How many times has Thitikul won on the LPGA Tour now?
Jeeno Thitikul now has a total of nine LPGA Tour wins in her career, with two of those victories coming in 2026.