The World No. 1 eagled 17, saved par from the water, and stopped LPGA history in a playoff.

Sunday at Qizhong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai, Minami Katsu had a four-shot lead after 13 holes. The 27th different winner of the LPGA season was basically a done deal. The record was about to fall. Then Jeeno Thitikul decided to rewrite the ending. Three straight birdies on 14, 15, and 16 tightened the gap. But it was the eagle on 17 that flipped everything. The ball bounced along the green and found the bottom of the cup. Suddenly, we’re tied. Suddenly, Katsu’s cruise to victory turned into white-knuckle survival mode.

The Playoff That Almost Ended in Disaster

Katsu had a birdie putt on 18 to win it in regulation, but it slid past the hole. Playoff time. They parred the first hole. Then on the second playoff hole at the par-4 18th, Thitikul hit her tee shot left and into the water. Tournament over, right? Wrong. She dropped, hit a spectacular approach to inside two feet, and saved par. Katsu had a chance to win right there but her birdie putt hung on the lip. That water save was the difference. That’s the shot champions make when they’re supposed to be folding. Three more playoff holes of pars before Thitikul stuffed her approach to three feet on the fifth extra hole and made the birdie to win.

History Stops at 26

The LPGA had 26 different winners in 26 events heading into Shanghai. Zero repeat champions all season. Nelly Korda, who won seven times last year, hasn’t won once in 2025 despite playing at the same level. The tour needed someone to break through twice. Thitikul became that player, stopping what would’ve been a record 27th unique winner. She’s now the first multiple winner of the season, and with six events left including the Tour Championship, she’s positioned to potentially sweep the postseason awards.

From September Heartbreak to October Redemption

Back in September at the Kroger Queen City Championship, Thitikul four-putted the 72nd hole — missing a five-footer for birdie and a three-footer for par — and handed Charley Hull a trophy that should’ve been hers. She admitted after Sunday’s win that she “cried quite a lot” about it. But that pain became fuel. “What happened on the last event was definitely still in my mind, but to be able to prove myself again this tournament is like a dream come true,” she said. That off-week trip to Canada with no golf? It reminded her she’s human. But Sunday in Shanghai reminded everyone else that she’s also the World No. 1 for a reason.

“I Have Nothing to Be Afraid of Anymore”

Thitikul’s perspective has always been her superpower. She learned golf on a driving range in a small Thai town without a course. Her professional goal was making enough money to give her family a good life — and she’s already done that. But don’t mistake that humility for complacency. After this win, she dropped the line that’ll define her season: “I have nothing to be afraid of anymore.” That’s the sound of someone who just washed away doubt. That’s the sound of someone who survived hitting it in the water during a playoff and still found a way to win. The eagle on 17 might’ve tied the tournament, but those words? They might’ve just launched a dynasty.