Thai superstar backs up with $6.2 million golf win

Darren Walton | November 24, 2025

Sydney star Steph Kyriacou provided the fireworks as world No.1 Jeeno Thitikul claimed the riches and spoils in an action-packed finale to the LPGA Tour season in Florida.

Thitikul collected a monster cheque for $US4 million ($A6.2 million) – the biggest in women’s golf history – after successfully defending her Tour Championship crown with a commanding four-shot triumph in Naples.

The 22-year-old closed with four-under-par 68 to finish with a remarkable 26-under 262 tournament total.

The $US8 million ($A12.89 million) Thitikul has pocketed for back-to-back victories at Tiburon Golf Club ranks as the second-highest earn at the same tournament over a two-year period in the history of all women’s sport.

Only tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, with $US8.6 million ($A13.32 million) earned from her 2024 and 2025 US Open triumphs, has won more.     

In addition to the mega money and successive season-ending titles, Thitikul secured player of the year honours and the Vare Trophy for the LPGA Tour’s lowest-ever scoring average for 2025, eclipsing the great Annika Sorenstan’s 2002 record.

“Definitely means a lot,” Thitikul said.

“Back then, when I was six years old, I’m just a really young kid that had no idea what LPGA was, what a world No.1 looked like.

“But as I’m stepping here on the LPGA Tour, I know our part is playing golf but also inspiring the next generation is part of our job as well.”

After dominating all week and starting the final round with a six-stroke buffer, she briefly had her lead cut to two shots by fellow Thai Pajaree Anannarukarn on Sunday (Monday AEST).

But Anannarukarn’s challenge stalled down the stretch.

Still, after being the last player to qualify for the 60-player field, Anannarukarn walked away with a life-changing $US1 million ($A1.55 million) runner-up prize following her sizzling final-round 66.

“There is a lot of things to take away for sure,” the 26-year-old said.

A hole-out eagle from the fairway bunker on the par-4 11th was the spark for world No.2 Nelly Korda to finish outright third, six shots behind Thitikul, after a final-round 68.

Winless in 2025 after lifting seven trophies last year, Korda finished at 20 under, one stroke ahead of Gaby Lopez in fourth after the Mexican’s 62-65 weekend flurry.

Kyriacou stormed home to join world No.4 Minjee Lee as the leading Australians in a tie for 13th after producing a rollercoaster equal low round of the day featuring a hole in one among two eagles, five birdies, three bogeys and eight pars.

Kyriacou was ambling along at one over for her round through five holes before bursting to life with her second ace of the season on the par-3 eighth.  

Incredibly, Kyriacou’s nine-iron ace – after also jagging one at the British Open – came barely half an hour after her South Korean playing partner Hye-Jin Choi holed out on the fifth hole.

“So when I had mine I was like, ‘This is like a joke; this never happens’,” Kyriacou said.

“Yeah, it was a pretty 10-out-of-10 shot. Hitting right towards it. I picked up my tee and went to the side and everyone started cheering.

“Couldn’t see it go in but heard it from the cheers.”

The exciting Kyriacou also boasts a rare albatross in 2025 and typically closed out her year with a spectacular four-under-par run over the last three holes to rocket up the leaderboard with a final-round six-under 66.

Lee had surged to outright second early on Saturday but ultimately endured a disappointing weekend to also finish at 12 under after a last-round 71.

Fellow Australian 2025 major winner Grace Kim (69) tied for 26th at 10 under, with Hannah Green (71) equal 51st at two under.