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2025 CME Group Tour Championship Final Results: Jeeno Thitikul's Historic Victory and Complete Prize Money Breakdown
Thitikul's Dominant Performance: A Season-Ending Masterclass
Jeeno Thitikul entered Sunday's final round at Tiburon Golf Club with a commanding six-stroke lead, and despite an early challenge from fellow Thai player Pajaree Anannarukarn, she never relinquished control. Shooting a closing 4-under 68 with five birdies and just one bogey, Thitikul finished at 26-under par 262 to become only the second player in tournament history to win back-to-back CME Group Tour Championships.
The 22-year-old sensation's final-round birdie on the 18th hole sealed not just the tournament victory but also secured the lowest scoring average in LPGA Tour history, eclipsing Annika Sorenstam's legendary mark that had stood since 2002. Over four days, Thitikul recorded 24 birdies while maintaining the composure expected of a world champion, demonstrating why she has dominated women's golf throughout 2025.
Record-Breaking Prize Money and Triple Crown Achievement
The $4 million first-place check represents the largest single tournament prize in women's golf history. Combined with her 2024 victory at the same event, Thitikul has now earned $8 million from just two CME Group Tour Championships, cementing her status as one of the sport's highest earners. Her season earnings of $7,578,330 shattered her own LPGA Tour single-season record set just one year prior.
But the financial rewards tell only part of the story. Thitikul's triple crown—the Rolex Player of the Year award, the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, and the season money title—marks her as only the third player since 2022 to sweep all three major honors in a single season. She joins Lydia Ko (2022) in this exclusive club, becoming the first player to achieve this feat since Ko's historic campaign three years ago.
Final Round Highlights and Tournament Drama
The Thai Showdown: Thitikul vs. Anannarukarn
Despite starting six strokes behind, Pajaree Anannarukarn mounted an impressive early charge, birdieing five of the first seven holes to cut Thitikul's lead to just two strokes. The momentum shift created tension rarely seen when a player holds such a substantial overnight advantage. However, Thitikul responded with the poise of a champion, answering with birdies at the 10th and 13th holes.
When Anannarukarn bogeyed the par-3 12th hole, the lead ballooned back to five strokes, and the outcome was effectively decided. Anannarukarn finished at 22-under par to claim solo second place and the $1 million runner-up prize, marking her best finish of the season and proving that Thai golf has multiple stars capable of competing at the highest level.
The Battle for World No. 1: Thitikul vs. Korda
The final round featured a marquee pairing of World No. 1 Thitikul and World No. 2 Nelly Korda, creating a clash between the season's dominant player and the sport's biggest enigma. Korda, who won seven times in 2024 including five consecutive victories, entered the tournament still seeking her first win of 2025.
While Korda played solidly to finish at 20-under par for solo third place and a $550,000 payday, she could not match Thitikul's brilliance. The contrast was stark: Thitikul comfortable and confident throughout, Korda searching for answers to a season-long puzzle that has seen her statistics remain elite while victories have proven elusive. It marked the continuation of a remarkable trend—Korda became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2010 to follow a seven-win season with a winless campaign.
Nelly Korda's Paradoxical Season: Elite Play, Zero Wins
Perhaps no story defined the 2025 LPGA season more than Nelly Korda's winless campaign. The 27-year-old American entered the year as the game's most dominant force, having captured seven titles in 2024 including a major championship. Yet despite maintaining nearly identical statistics—and in some categories, improving—she failed to visit the winner's circle even once.
The numbers tell a baffling tale. Korda's scoring average of 69.87 actually improved from 2024's 69.56. Her driving accuracy climbed to 76.71% from 75%. She ranked second on tour in strokes gained total at 2.35. She made every cut in 19 starts and recorded nine top-10 finishes, including two runner-up showings. Yet somehow, this translated to zero victories.
The culprit appears to be Sunday struggles and short-game regression. Korda's final-round scoring average ballooned from 69.58 to 71.27, nearly two strokes worse. Her around-the-green play plummeted from 4th on tour to 43rd, a decline of 0.33 strokes gained. In an era of unprecedented LPGA parity—with 29 different winners across the season—these microscopic deficiencies proved decisive.
Major Championship Near Misses
Korda's 2025 major championship performance epitomized her season. She made the cut in all five majors, demonstrating her consistent excellence. At the U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills, she finished tied for second, her best career showing at that championship. A second-round 67 put her in a tie for the lead with eventual winner Maja Stark heading into the weekend.
But the pattern repeated: a third-round 73 to Stark's 70 created separation, and Korda could only gain one stroke back on Sunday, bogeying the 72nd hole to cement her runner-up finish. At the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at PGA Frisco, she never broke 72 and tied for 19th. Weekend rounds of 75-74 at the Amundi Evian Championship yielded a T43 finish, while 74-75 at the AIG Women's Open resulted in T36.
Korean Players Shine at Season Finale
While Thitikul claimed the spotlight, Korean players delivered impressive performances throughout the tournament. Seyoung Kim led the contingent with a solo sixth-place finish at 16-under par, earning $195,000 and securing her 10th top-10 finish of the season. Kim's final-round 1-under 71 capped a consistent week where she recorded her 11th consecutive round in the 60s.
Haeran Ryu and Somi Lee tied for 10th at 13-under par, each collecting $107,167. Lee's tournament was particularly notable—she opened with an electrifying 8-under 64 to claim the first-round lead before settling into a tie for 10th. Jinhee Im tied for 13th at 12-under, while Hyejin Choi, Hyojoo Kim, Jinyoung Ko, Arim Kim, and Mihyang Lee all finished within the top 50.
In total, nine Korean players competed in the 60-player field, with all finishing in the top 50, demonstrating the depth and quality of Korean women's golf. Kim's sixth-place finish was particularly satisfying after her breakthrough victory at the BMW Ladies Championship in October marked her first win in five years.
Complete Prize Money Breakdown and Final Leaderboard
| Position | Country | Player Name | Score | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | THA | Jeeno Thitikul | -26 | $4,000,000 |
| 2 | THA | Pajaree Anannarukarn | -22 | $1,000,000 |
| 3 | USA | Nelly Korda | -20 | $550,000 |
| 4 | MEX | Gaby Lopez | -19 | $350,000 |
| 5 | JPN | Nasa Hataoka | -17 | $260,000 |
| 6 | KOR | Seyoung Kim | -16 | $195,000 |
| T7 | CAN | Brooke Henderson | -14 | $137,000 |
| T7 | USA | Auston Kim | -14 | $137,000 |
| T7 | THA | Patty Tavatanakit | -14 | $137,000 |
| T10 | KOR | Haeran Ryu | -13 | $107,167 |
| T10 | KOR | Somi Lee | -13 | $107,167 |
| T10 | USA | Jenny Bae | -13 | $107,167 |
| T13 | JPN | Rio Takeda | -12 | $88,083 |
| T13 | USA | Sarah Schmelzel | -12 | $88,083 |
| T13 | AUS | Stephanie Kyriacou | -12 | $88,083 |
| T13 | AUS | Minjee Lee | -12 | $88,083 |
| T13 | JPN | Chisato Iwai | -12 | $88,083 |
| T13 | KOR | Jinhee Im | -12 | $88,083 |
| T19 | USA | Lexi Thompson | -11 | $78,071 |
| T19 | ENG | Lottie Woad | -11 | $78,071 |
| T19 | SWE | Maja Stark | -11 | $78,071 |
| T19 | JPN | Mao Saigo | -11 | $78,071 |
| T19 | JPN | Akie Iwai | -11 | $78,071 |
| T19 | CHN | Ruoning Yin | -11 | $78,071 |
| T19 | ENG | Charley Hull | -11 | $78,071 |
| T26 | AUS | Grace Kim | -10 | $71,107 |
| T26 | CHN | Miranda Wang | -10 | $71,107 |
| T26 | USA | Allisen Corpuz | -10 | $71,107 |
| T26 | SWE | Ingrid Lindblad | -10 | $71,107 |
| T26 | KOR | Hyejin Choi | -10 | $71,107 |
| T26 | JPN | Minami Katsu | -10 | $71,107 |
| T26 | JPN | Ayaka Furue | -10 | $71,107 |
| T33 | USA | Lindy Duncan | -9 | $67,000 |
| T33 | THA | Ariya Jutanugarn | -9 | $67,000 |
| T33 | USA | Andrea Lee | -9 | $67,000 |
| T36 | DEN | Nanna Koerstz Madsen | -8 | $64,750 |
| T36 | RUS | Natalia Guseva | -8 | $64,750 |
| T36 | JPN | Miyu Yamashita | -8 | $64,750 |
| T39 | USA | Lucy Li | -7 | $62,875 |
| T39 | ESP | Carlota Ciganda | -7 | $62,875 |
| T41 | KOR | Hyojoo Kim | -6 | $61,750 |
| T41 | NZL | Lydia Ko | -6 | $61,750 |
| T43 | KOR | Arim Kim | -5 | $60,500 |
| T43 | SWE | Linn Grant | -5 | $60,500 |
| T43 | KOR | Mihyang Lee | -5 | $60,500 |
| 46 | KOR | Jinyoung Ko | -4 | $59,500 |
| T47 | USA | Lauren Coughlin | -3 | $58,250 |
| T47 | BEL | Manon De Roey | -3 | $58,250 |
| T47 | FRA | Celine Boutier | -3 | $58,250 |
| T47 | GER | Esther Henseleit | -3 | $58,250 |
| T51 | USA | Megan Khang | -2 | $56,875 |
| T51 | CHN | Yan Liu | -2 | $56,875 |
| T51 | USA | Jennifer Kupcho | -2 | $56,875 |
| T51 | AUS | Hannah Green | -2 | $56,875 |
| T55 | USA | Yealimi Noh | -1 | $56,125 |
| T55 | SWE | Madelene Sagstrom | -1 | $56,125 |
| 57 | USA | Angel Yin | +1 | $55,750 |
| 58 | IRL | Leona Maguire | +2 | $55,500 |
| 59 | USA | Brooke Matthews | +5 | $55,250 |
| 60 | THA | Chanettee Wannasaen | +6 | $55,000 |
Thitikul's Historic Season: Breaking Sorenstam's Record
The Quest for Golf's Holy Grail
Entering the final round, Jeeno Thitikul faced more than just the pressure of defending her title with a six-stroke lead. She was chasing history: Annika Sorenstam's LPGA Tour record for lowest scoring average in a single season, a mark that had stood for 23 years. Thitikul needed to shoot 3-under 69 or better to break the record, and she delivered emphatically.
Her closing 68 not only secured the victory but also gave her a scoring average that eclipsed Sorenstam's legendary benchmark. The achievement places Thitikul in rarified air alongside Sorenstam and Lydia Ko as the only players to average under 69.00 strokes per round for an entire LPGA season. It's a testament to her remarkable consistency and ball-striking excellence throughout 2025.
From Ataya to Jeeno: A Name Change That Changed Everything
Thitikul's rise to dominance coincided with a seemingly simple change: midway through the 2024 season, she switched her registration name from Ataya Thitikul to Jeeno—the nickname used by family and friends. The move appeared to unlock something special. Following the name change, she recorded seven consecutive top-10 finishes culminating in her first CME Group Tour Championship victory.
The momentum continued into 2025. She captured three victories—at the Mizuho Americas Open in May, the Buick LPGA Shanghai in October, and now the season-ending championship. She was the only player on tour with three or more wins, cementing her status as the season's most dominant force. Her season earnings of $7,578,330 represent a new LPGA single-season record, surpassing her own mark of $6,059,309 set just one year earlier.
Other Notable Performances at the CME Group Tour Championship
Gaby Lopez of Mexico posted the tournament's lowest round—a 10-under 62 on Saturday—to vault into solo fourth place at 19-under par and earn $350,000. The performance tied the tournament record and showcased Lopez's scoring prowess when conditions aligned perfectly.
Japan's Nasa Hataoka finished solo fifth at 17-under par ($260,000), continuing her consistent season. Australia's Minjee Lee, who entered the week leading the season money race, tied for 13th at 12-under to finish the season second in earnings behind Thitikul. Rookie sensation Miyu Yamashita tied for 36th, capping a remarkable debut season that saw her win the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award.
Lydia Ko, winner of the Rolex Annika Major Award for best major championship performance, tied for 41st at 6-under par. The two-time Olympic gold medalist added another chapter to her Hall of Fame career by surpassing Annika Sorenstam for career LPGA earnings earlier in the season.
Season Reflection: Lessons from Triumph and Adversity
In her pre-tournament press conference, Thitikul revealed the emotional depth behind her stellar season. She spoke candidly about her most memorable moment of 2025—not a victory, but a crushing defeat. At the Kroger Queen City Championship, she four-putted the 72nd hole to lose to Charley Hull. The pain was so intense that she spent the flight home with ice packs on her eyes from crying.
She took a photograph of herself with the ice pack, she explained, to remember that moment when she reaches career peaks. It's a reminder of humility, of golf's capricious nature, and of the temporary nature of both triumph and despair. This self-awareness and emotional intelligence distinguish great champions from merely talented players.
For Nelly Korda, the season provided different but equally valuable lessons. Her support system—coaches, family, friends—showed up every day through calls, texts, and FaceTime sessions. She learned, she said, that "it's okay to lean on others when stuff isn't going well." While the trophies eluded her in 2025, Korda gained perspective that money can't buy and that might prove even more valuable when the wins inevitably return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What records did Jeeno Thitikul break in 2025?
A. Thitikul broke Annika Sorenstam's 23-year-old record for lowest scoring average in LPGA history and set a new single-season earnings record of $7,578,330, surpassing her own mark from 2024.
Q2. How much money did the winner receive at the CME Group Tour Championship?
A. The winner received $4 million, the largest single tournament prize in women's golf history. The total purse was $11 million distributed among the 60-player field.
Q3. Why didn't Nelly Korda win in 2025 despite great statistics?
A. Korda's Sunday scoring worsened from 69.58 to 71.27, and her short game dropped significantly (from 4th to 43rd in around-the-green play). The LPGA's unprecedented parity with 29 different winners meant microscopic deficiencies proved decisive.
Q4. Who was the top-finishing Korean player?
A. Seyoung Kim finished in solo sixth place at 16-under par, earning $195,000. She recorded her 10th top-10 finish of the season and extended her streak of consecutive rounds in the 60s to 11.
Q5. What other awards did Thitikul win besides the tournament?
A. Thitikul swept the triple crown: the Rolex Player of the Year award, the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, and the season money title—becoming only the third player since 2022 to achieve this feat.
Conclusion: A Perfect Ending to an Unforgettable Season
The 2025 LPGA season concluded with the perfect champion atop the leaderboard. Jeeno Thitikul's second consecutive CME Group Tour Championship victory capped a historic campaign that saw her break records, accumulate $8 million from just two tournament wins, and establish herself as the undisputed world No. 1. At just 22 years old, she has accomplished what takes most players an entire career to achieve.
Yet the season's narrative extends far beyond one player's dominance. The unprecedented parity—29 different winners across the schedule—demonstrated the depth of talent on the LPGA Tour. Nelly Korda's winless season despite elite play reminded us that golf's margins are razor-thin and success is never guaranteed, regardless of past achievements. Her grace in handling adversity and willingness to lean on her support system may ultimately prove as valuable as any trophy.
As the 2026 season approaches, questions abound. Can Thitikul maintain this level of excellence? Will Korda bounce back with renewed determination? Which of the 29 first-time winners will sustain their success? The beauty of women's golf in this era is that answers seem genuinely uncertain—and that unpredictability makes every tournament compelling viewing for fans worldwide.
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