HOUSTON — As the Chevron Championship approaches, Jeeno Thitikul, currently ranked as the World No. 1, is preparing to tackle the most significant challenge of her young career. The 21-year-old star from Thailand has made a name for herself with 21 professional victories, including eight on the LPGA Tour and five on the Ladies European Tour. Yet despite her impressive resume, one feat has eluded her: winning a major championship.
Thitikul’s track record shows remarkable success across her career. She has clinched back-to-back CME Group Tour Championships, claimed two Vare Trophies, and was recognized as the LPGA’s Player of the Year in 2025 after securing multiple titles that season. However, despite these accomplishments, major honors have remained just out of reach.
In her 27 major tournament appearances, Thitikul has finished in the top ten on nine occasions. She notably held the lead at the 2024 Chevron Championship but struggled during the final rounds as Nelly Korda captured the title. Further disappointments followed when Minjee Lee surpassed her in the final stretch at the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and Grace Kim edged her out at the Evian Championship.
"Every time I lost in a major, for sure, people remind every week," Thitikul said with a chuckle. "Obviously, I think it’s just the challenge of my career. I know what I have [under my] belt right now at this [age]. I think I accomplish a lot, but obviously [majors are] the one that I feel like the first time is always the hardest."
Last year, as she competed at both the Chevron and the KPMG Championships, Thitikul dismissed the idea of feeling pressure to win a major. "Every major, I just want to make the cut, to be honest," she remarked. "It would be really great to win it... but if not, I don’t have anything to regret."
Hailing from a humble background in Ratchaburi, Thailand, where golf courses were scarce, Thitikul attributes her perspective on success and pressure to her upbringing and her early experiences in the game. She learned to play from her grandfather, and her commitment to the sport has already helped her family achieve a better life, leaving her content with what she has accomplished thus far.
Reflecting on the challenges of achieving her first major victory, Thitikul stated, "I just answer myself if I’m not winning any major [until] I retire, if I’m going to regret or I’m going to be sad about that, and I would say I’m not. I’m thinking all the things that I have been doing out here on the tour... and I just let it be more natural."
Even as her career has soared, the pressure of the majors has become more palpable. The memory of last summer’s disappointments still lingers, and as Thitikul returns to this year’s Chevron Championship, she is keenly aware of the increased expectations surrounding her. While she aims to maintain her composure, she acknowledges the weight that accompanies her attempts to break the major title barrier.
"I know that my accomplishments are unimpeachable, but majors are different, no matter what you tell yourself," she admitted. This complex dynamic of success and struggle adds an intriguing layer to her journey in the upcoming tournament.
Thitikul ultimately views her quest for a major title as a significant hurdle that, if crossed, could redefine her legacy within the sport. "If I can prove to myself that I can be able to do that, I think it’s just — that’s what golf is," she said, underscoring her ambition.
As the Chevron Championship unfolds, all eyes will be on Thitikul, not only to see if she can conquer her major challenge but also how her experience shapes her performance throughout the tournament. With her early success and profound resilience, she remains a player to watch closely in the upcoming rounds.