Lee So-mi and Jeeno Dazzle at Honda LPGA Thailand Birdie-Fest
(Pattaya, February 20, 2026) – Korean Lee So-mi seized the half-way lead at the Honda LPGA Thailand in spectacular fashion, while Thai favourite Jeeno Thitikul celebrated her 23rd birthday with a magical masterclass.
On one of the lowest scoring days in the rich 19-year history of this championship, Lee threatened to become the first player to break 60 at Siam Country Club’s Old Course, eventually signing for an 11-under-par 61.
With a 36-hole aggregate of 17-under 127, Lee heads into the weekend with a three-stroke advantage from second-placed Jeeno, who posted a nine-under 63, her second successive bogey-free return. One shot further back in joint third are New Zealand’s Lydia Ko (64) and Japan’s Chisato ‘Chizzy’ Iwai (62).
Australian Hannah Green, Spaniard Julia Lopez Ramirez and American Allisen Corpuz all fired 65s and share fifth place on 132.
Despite steamy conditions, the course was defenceless against world-class players hungry to begin their 2026 season in style. Korean Lee Mi-hyang emulated Jeeno’s 63 while there were no fewer than four 64s, seven 65s, one 66, four 67s, seven 68s and nine 69s.
Out in seven-under 29, So-mi made further gains at 10 and 11. Three pars followed before she holed a 20-footer for an eagle-two at 15 to put a sub-60 return within the realms of possibility. However, a birdie chip at 16 lipped out and she narrowly failed with a putt for a three at 17. That meant she needed to eagle the par-five 18th to become only the second player in LPGA Tour history to shoot a 59, after Swede Annika Sorenstam in 2001.
Short in two at the dog-leg left closing hole, So-mi struck a sweet wedge approach that flew just left of the flag, leaving her a 12-foot downhiller for a birdie and a 60. Although that effort did not drop, the 27-year-old was thrilled – and somewhat stunned.
Lee, who won the Dow Championship last year in partnership with compatriot Im Jin-hee but is still awaiting her maiden solo LPGA Tour triumph, said: “I had the best score of my life, so I’m a little emotional. As there are still two more days to go at this tournament, I’ll only celebrate a little bit.”
For a while, Jeeno, playing four flights ahead of So-mi, also looked like she might challenge Sorenstam’s historic mark as she raced to eight-under through 11 holes.
Only one further birdie at the 18th followed, but Jeeno was delighted to spend such a special day for her in the company of many hundreds of the Jeeno Thitikul Fan Group. Every time the world number one made birdie, spectators broke into a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday to You’.
Jeeno, whose round was highlighted by an eagle-three at the seventh and seven birdies, said: “It’s special to spend my birthday in my home country – and it was nice to have a lot of birdies. That’s why I heard so many happy birthday songs, the most in my life! I think I’ve created good memories with the spectators.”
In among the birdies was a remarkable par-saving effort at the 17th where her skill and imagination were severely tested. Deliberately playing away from the cup to catch a slope, Jeeno’s chip rolled to within 15 feet from where she nervelessly holed the putt to ensure another clean card.
Of her bogey-free performance over the first two days, she said: “I know where to miss, where not to go. And for the past two days I’ve been in a good position, where I want my ball to be. If you can put the ball where it’s not too risky, it should be not a big problem at this golf course.” At least not for players of LPGA Tour calibre.
Playing in the same group, Jeeno and Ko had a better-ball 58. Ko was especially pleased with her accurate iron play. “It’s been a while since I hit 16 greens (in regulation), so it was nice to come off with a round like that – especially with Jeeno playing well. I felt the whole group was able to get in a good momentum and make a lot of birdies.”
On a day of many masterstrokes one of the finest was painted by Ko who came close to making a hole-in-one at the par-four 15th where her drive came to rest four feet from the flagstick, pitched near the front of the green.
The Hall of Famer said: “I felt like I needed to hit a really good one to reach the front. I got a member’s bounce, a firm bounce off the downslope and it ended up being perfect. Having a three or four-footer for two, whether it’s a par-three or par-four, it’s always a bit of a bonus.”
Inspired by the heroics of her twin sister here last year, ‘Chizzy’ Iwai, out in the second flight of the day, took centre stage early on.
In 2025, Akie Iwai fired a closing 61 to finish second behind American Angel Yin. When Chizzy reached eight-under through 11 holes, she appeared well set to emulate Akie’s effort. Although she missed that target by one, she was elated with her career-low round. “I can’t believe it. I had such a good feeling,” she said.
Another notable performance came from Lee Mi-hyang. Despite a continuing struggle with a right shoulder injury, the Korean snared 10 birdies in a 63, her card stained only by a bogey at the fifth, her 14th of the day. “My shoulder is still not 100% so I can’t do a full swing. My first goal is just to play without pain for 18 holes,” said Lee, who needed just 25 putts.
Special mention, too, of Japan’s Minami Katsu, who carded a seven-under 65 that included a triple-bogey seven at the 17th, her eighth hole of the day. Recovering splendidly from that setback, she proceeded to birdie her next four holes and is not out of the picture at nine-under 135 overall, in joint 10th place.
Comparatively speaking, it was not such a good day for Chanettee Wannasaen and Nasa Hataoka, who set the day one pace with 65s. On day two, both bogeyed the 18th, Thai Chanettee signing for a one-under 71 and Japan’s Hataoka settling for a 72.
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.