Talent, triumph, and history in the making
Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul
At just 23, golf superstar Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul has already scaled the summit of her sport. Ranked world No.1, she owns 21 professional titles, two Player of the Year awards across major tours, and twice claimed the richest prize in women’s golf at the CME Group Tour Championship. Her record is extraordinary, but her poise and personality make her story even more compelling.
Once hailed as a prodigy destined for greatness, Atthaya has fulfilled that prophecy with remarkable speed, evolving into one of the most influential figures in women’s golf today.
Her blend of technical precision, composure under pressure, and a bubbly, approachable character has made her one of the most fascinating players to watch.
“As a teen phenom turned top‑ranked golfer, Jeeno is incredibly impressive all around,” wrote Hall of Fame golfer Lydia Ko in a tribute to the Thai star, who was named among the TIME100 Next in 2025.
Her rise also signals the growing strength of Thai golf. Alongside established powers such as South Korea and Japan, Thailand now boasts a new wave of talent making its mark on the world stage, with Atthaya at the forefront.
Born in Ban Pong, Ratchaburi, Atthaya was six when her father encouraged her to take up a sport. The choice was between tennis and golf. After watching golf videos, she was captivated, and the journey began.
In 2017, she stunned the golfing world by becoming the youngest player to win a professional title, capturing the Ladies European Thailand Championship at just 14 years, four months and 19 days old. Though that record has since been broken, it announced her as a phenomenon.
Accolades followed swiftly. At 15, she won the Women’s Amateur Asia‑Pacific Championship in Singapore. A year later, she claimed the Ladies European Thailand Championship for the second time and rose to world No.1 in the amateur rankings.
Turning professional in 2020, she dominated the Thai LPGA Tour with five victories, finishing as the season’s top money earner. By 2021, she was competing on the Ladies European Tour, where she won twice and swept all major awards.
Her LPGA debut in 2022 was equally dazzling. She captured two titles, briefly ascended to world No.1 — becoming only the second Thai after Ariya Jutanugarn to do so — and capped the year as LPGA Rookie of the Year.
Though 2023 brought no individual wins, consistency defined her season: 13 top‑10 finishes and the prestigious Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average.
In 2024, she returned to the winner’s circle, teaming with China’s Yin Ruoning to win the Dow Championship, before claiming the Tour Championship and the largest paycheque in women’s golf history.
Her 2025 campaign was nothing short of stellar. She opened with victory at the Saudi Ladies International, added three LPGA titles, reclaimed the No.1 ranking, and swept the Player of the Year, money list, and a second Vare Trophy. Her scoring average of 68.68 set a new LPGA record.
Starting the new season with the same momentum that defined her stellar 2025 campaign, Atthaya captured her first title of the year by becoming only the third Thai to win the LPGA Thailand in Pattaya last month.
With that triumph, she has now amassed eight LPGA Tour victories and career earnings exceeding US$17 million (around 527 million baht), a remarkable haul for a player still in her early twenties.
Yet she views her success as more than personal triumph. “I know our part is playing golf, but inspiring the next generation is part of our job as well,” she says.
Giving back is central to her ethos. Last year, her charity golf event raised over three million baht for schools in her hometown of Ratchaburi. “It is great that I am in a position that I can give back. I’m happy that I can give back to the community,” she reflects.
Atthaya Thitikul’s journey — from child prodigy to world No.1 — is a story of talent, determination, and generosity. For Thailand and for women’s golf, she is not just a champion, but a beacon of what the future can be.
