Jeeno Thitikul is making her first LPGA Tour start in 2025 and is coming off a win last week, which certainly shows signs that her game continues to trend upward. She jumped two spots in the world rankings with her victory at the PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour, moving from No. 4 to No. 2 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings, her highest ranking since she was No. 2 in November 2022.

The Thailand native has undoubtedly picked up where she left off in 2024 with her incredible play. She finished in the top 10 in her last seven starts of the 2024 season, earning two runner-up results at the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G in September and at the Maybank Championship in October before winning the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

But when asked if it was a good omen that last year's defending champion, Patty Tavatanakit, also won the previous week before hoisting the trophy in Thailand, she said it did give her confidence, but "I don't think my ball striking is that good. That's why I want to work on still, which is what I focus on this week. I don't know what's going to happen, but I know that I'll do my best."

It's incredible to think that at such a young age, Thitikul has amassed 41 career top 10s, including four wins, and made over $9.8 million in career earnings since becoming an LPGA Tour member in 2022. She is definitely moving in the right direction, and it's likely only a matter of time this season before she notches her fifth career LPGA title.

With only seven players in the Rolex Rankings top 10 in this week's Honda LPGA Thailand field – Thitikul (No. 2), Ruoning Yin (No. 4), Lilia Vu (No. 5), Haeran Ryu (No. 7), Jin Young Ko (No. 8), Celine Boutier (No. 9) and Ayaka Furue (No. 10) – expect some changes in the standings after the first tournament of the Asian Swing wraps up on Sunday, Feb. 23.

Here’s a look at the current top 10 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings:

Nelly Korda (United States)
Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand)
Lydia Ko (New Zealand)
Ruoning Yin (People’s Republic of China)
Lilia Vu (United States)
Hannah Green (Australia)
Haeran Ryu (Republic of Korea)
Jin Young Ko (Republic of Korea)
Celine Boutier (France)
Ayaka Furue (Japan)

Current Leaders in the Season-Long Races

A Lim Kim and Yealimi Noh’s early consistency over the first couple of weeks of the LPGA Tour season has earned them the top spot in the Tour's season-long Race to the CME Globe early in 2025.

Kim picked up her third LPGA Tour title after hoisting the trophy at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Joining Kim as one of the year’s first two winners is Yealimi Noh, who became a Rolex First-Time winner with her victory at the Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands.

With a full calendar of events still ahead, Kim and Noh have put themselves in a prime position early and are setting the pace heading into the Honda LPGA Thailand.

With only five players in the top 10 of the Race to CME Globe competing this week – Yealimi Noh (T1), A Lim Kim (T1), Jin Young Ko (3), Linn Grant (6) and Jin Hee Im (9) – expect some changes at the top as the LPGA Tour crown a champion in Thailand.

Here’s a look at the current top 10 in the Race to the CME Globe Standings:

T1. Yealimi Noh (United States) 500 points
T1. A Lim Kim (Republic of Korea) 500 points
3. Jin Young Ko (Republic of Korea) 482.500 points
4. Nelly Korda (United States) 410.000 points
5. Megan Khang (United States) 278.000 points
6. Linn Grant (Sweden) 230.000 points
7. Hannah Green (Australia) 192.333 points
8. Minjee Lee (Australia) 187.500 points
T9. Jin Hee Im (Repubic of Korea) 148.333 points
T9. Miyu Yamashita (Japan) 148.333 points

Jin Young Ko tops the Official Money List with $302,976 in season earnings, while Noh and Kim are in a tie for second with $300,000 each. Noh and Kim also hold a slim 11-point lead over Ko in the Rolex Player of the Year race, with the potential for a change in the standings at any moment, as all three athletes are in the Honda LPGA Thailand field this week.

Newcomer Miyu Yamashita holds an 11-point lead over Japan’s Rio Takeda in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rooking of the Year standings, but she is not playing in Thailand. Takeda is one of three rookies teeing it up this week and is joined by Japanese twins Akie and Chisato Iwai, so expect some changes in the Rookie of the Year points.

The Aon Risk Reward Challenge, a season-long competition that showcases the game’s top athletes as they navigate some of the most challenging holes on Tour, is currently led by both Thailand native Ariya Jutanugarn and Epson Tour graduate Xiaowen Yin, and the stakes are high. Jutanugarn, who is playing this week, has the chance to claim the top spot by strategically tackling the par-4 15th hole at Siam Country Club’s Old Course. This hole can play as short as 265 yards from the front tees or as long as 320 yards, presenting players with a crucial decision to lay up short of the water or attempt to drive the green coming down the stretch.

Making Moves: Jeeno Thitikul Moves to No. 2 in the Rolex Rankings

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