Fast-Finishing Jeeno Takes Control at Honda LPGA Thailand

(Pattaya, February 21, 2026) – Jeeno Thitikul flexed her muscles with a stunning late show of strength to soar to the top of the leaderboard after three rounds of the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Despite seeing her bogey-free streak come to an end at her 50th hole of the tournament, the Thai world number one turned up the heat on her rivals by making birdies at the final three holes to follow rounds of 67 and 63 with a six-under-par 66 at Siam Country Club’s Old Course. 

In oven-like conditions, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Centigrade, Jeeno’s putter turned hot with lengthy birdie efforts disappearing below ground at the 16th and 17th before a three-footer for a four at closing hole set the seal on another clinical display.

Three shots off the pace in second place overnight, Jeeno has a 54-hole total of 20-under 196, giving her a two-stroke lead from Korean Kim Hyo-joo (65) heading into Sunday’s final round.

On a tightly-packed leaderboard that has eight players within five shots of the lead, American Allisen Corpuz (67), Japan’s Chisato ‘Chizzy’ Iwai (68) and Korean Lee So-mi (72), the half-way leader, share third place on 199.

New Zealander Lydia Ko recovered from a double-bogey six at the fifth to sign for a 69 and is in sole possession of sixth place on 200, while Spaniard Julia Lopez Ramirez and Hannah Green both carded 69s and are joint seventh on 201.

Despite the growing sense of anticipation and expectation among her fans, Jeeno is refusing to get ahead of herself and allow thoughts of becoming just the third Thai to have her name etched on the Honda LPGA Thailand trophy (after Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty Tavatanakit in 2024) enter her mind.

“I’m trying to stay patient and stay in the present. What you have to do is have a good swing, good commitment and then you need to have a good roll with your putts. That’s all I can control,” said Jeeno, who celebrated her 23rd birthday on Friday.

As has become the norm whenever she performs in her home country, Jeeno was cheered every step of the way by large galleries that included her mother as well as many children and families.

She said: “Every time I come to the Honda LPGA Thailand it gets bigger and there are more fans. On Saturday, all the kids are off from school and parents are off from work. It’s really motivating and inspiring that they came along to watch us. I really want to play well in front of them.”

 

She was not disappointed, a two-putt birdie on the opening hole setting her on the way. Further gains at the second and ninth saw her turn in three-under 33 at which point she led by one. Another birdie followed at the short 12th before a brief stutter resulted in a bogey at the 14th where she pulled her drive into trees and had to pitch back onto the fairway. Her third flew 60 feet past the cup from where she two-putted. 

For the second day in succession, Jeeno then failed to make birdie at the short par-four 15th, statistically one of the easiest holes on the course. At that point there was briefly a five-way tie at the top at 17-under before the crowd favourite stepped up a gear.

Second-placed Kim, in her 11th season on Tour, said: “I’m in a position where I have to chase. But I think being in that position I can be more aggressive with my play – and hopefully finish first.”

Corpuz also likes her chances. She said: “I love being in contention and having the opportunity to throw up a nice Sunday round. I’m really excited for it. I’ve been hitting the ball really well. I’ve had a lot of good birdie looks every day, and been able to convert them. The more I come back to this course, I learn a little better where your birdie opportunities are.”

Lee So-mi was the only player in the top-28 who failed to better par, her third-round 72 being 11 shots higher than her record-equalling 61 on Friday. Having negotiated the first 40 holes without a bogey she dropped three shots in a four-hole stretch from the fifth and was two-over at the turn. She steadied the ship with three birdies on the trot to start the back nine, but was unable to keep pace with Jeeno on the final three holes.

“My shots weren’t as good as I expected today so I’ll be practicing (at the range) and hoping to find my rhythm going into tomorrow,” said Lee.

Jeeno was not the only Thai to receive roars of approval from the galleries with Chanoknan ‘April’ Angurasaranee, Chanettee Wannasaen and Ariya Jutanugarn also delighting the home fans.

Chanoknan had the distinction of posting the equal best score of the day, a bogey-free 64, to climb into a tie for 11th place on 204, alongside joint first-round leader Chanettee (68). They are one shot in front of Ariya, who made an eagle-three at the 18th to post a five-under 67.

Korean Kim A-lim matched Chanoknan’s 64, while American Lucy Li also found her range with a 65.

The 19th edition of Honda LPGA Thailand carries a prize purse of USD 1.8 million and will be played from 19–22 February 2026 at Siam Country Club Old Course in Pattaya, Chonburi.