In the ever-evolving world of women’s golf, few moments capture the imagination quite like the passing of the torch from one legend to the next.

Just days ago, on what has been described as a pivotal turning point in the sport, LPGA icon Annika Sörenstam publicly hailed 22-year-old Thai sensation Jeeno Thitikul as “the one and only, brightest diamond of the young golf generation.” This glowing endorsement from Sörenstam, one of the greatest players in LPGA history, sent shockwaves through the golf community, affirming Thitikul’s extraordinary 2025 season where she shattered records, claimed major awards, and established herself as the undisputed leader of the next era in women’s professional golf.

Jeeno Thitikul, often affectionately called “Jeeno,” has been a rising star since her amateur days, but her 2025 LPGA campaign elevated her to superstar status.

Born on February 20, 2003, in Ban Pong, Ratchaburi, Thailand, Thitikul’s journey began early when her father gave her a choice between golf and tennis at age six. Opting for golf after seeing images online, she quickly displayed prodigious talent.

By her teens, she was dominating junior and amateur circuits, turning professional and earning her LPGA card with remarkable speed. Her breakthrough came in 2022 when she became the youngest player to reach World No. 1 since Lydia Ko, and she was named Rookie of the Year that same season.

Fast forward to 2025, and Thitikul delivered a season for the ages. Competing in around 20 events, she secured three victories, making her the winningest player on the tour in a year that saw a record 29 different winners.

Her triumphs included the Mizuho Americas Open in May, the Buick LPGA Shanghai in October, and a dramatic title defense at the CME Group Tour Championship in November.

At the season-ending CME event in Naples, Florida, Thitikul fired a final-round 68 to finish at 26-under par, winning by four strokes over her close friend Pajaree Anannarukarn and claiming the massive $4 million winner’s check—the largest in women’s golf history.

This victory not only repeated her 2024 success at the same event but also propelled her career earnings past $17 million in just four years on tour, making her the fastest to reach that milestone.

What truly set Thitikul’s 2025 season apart, however, was her unparalleled consistency. She posted 14 top-10 finishes, eight top-3 results, and an astonishing percentage of rounds in the 60s—65.2%, a new LPGA benchmark.

According to KPMG Performance Insights, she led the tour in multiple key categories: strokes gained total (2.96), putts per green in regulation (1.7), par-3 and par-4 scoring, and round-specific averages in several phases. Thitikul also topped the birdie-or-better average for the third straight year while excelling in bogey avoidance.

This dominance culminated in her clinching the Rolex Player of the Year award—her first—and the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, her second consecutive (though she had the lowest in 2024 but didn’t qualify due to rounds played).

The crowning achievement? Thitikul’s season scoring average of 68.681, which eclipsed Annika Sörenstam’s long-standing record of 68.697 set in 2002 during one of the Swedish legend’s most dominant years, when she won 11 times.

For 23 years, Sörenstam’s mark stood as the gold standard, with only Lydia Ko coming close in 2022 at 68.988. Thitikul became just the third player in LPGA history to dip below 69 for a full season, joining those two icons.

The margin was razor-thin—just 0.016 strokes—but it etched Thitikul’s name into the record books forever.

In her winner’s press conference at the CME, Thitikul expressed humility: “I hope Annika was not going to be angry about that,” she joked, acknowledging the significance of surpassing a benchmark from a player she admires deeply.

This record-breaking feat didn’t go unnoticed by Sörenstam herself. The 10-time major champion and 72-time LPGA winner, who has transitioned into roles as an ambassador and mentor for the sport, took to public platforms to praise Thitikul effusively.

Calling her “the one and only, brightest diamond of the young golf generation,” Sörenstam’s words resonated widely, especially given the context: Thitikul had just dethroned her scoring record. Rather than any hint of rivalry, Sörenstam’s endorsement highlighted the grace and progress in women’s golf.

It marked a symbolic handover, recognizing Thitikul’s blend of power, precision, and mental fortitude as the new benchmark for emerging talents.

The golf world reacted with excitement. Nelly Korda, the former World No. 1 who finished third at the CME, called Thitikul’s achievement “kind of crazy,” marveling at how a record from 2002 had endured until 2025.

“To finally beat a record so far in—what was it, 2002 you said? For it to take until 2025, I mean, it’s crazy,” Korda said.

Other peers, including Rose Zhang and Hannah Green, flooded social media with congratulations, with Green dubbing Thitikul a “GOAT.” Even Sörenstam reportedly reshared posts celebrating the Vare Trophy win, signaling her support.

Thitikul’s success also underscores the globalization of the LPGA. As a Thai player following in the footsteps of compatriots like Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, she represents the tour’s growing diversity and depth.

In a season with unprecedented parity—29 winners and nine players under 70 in scoring average—Thitikul’s ability to rise above stands out. She led the money list with over $7.5 million in earnings, reclaimed the World No. 1 ranking in August, and amassed Hall of Fame points through her awards.

Yet, for all her accolades, Thitikul remains grounded. Overcoming challenges like a wrist injury late in the year, she credits hard work and mental growth.

“I’ve played with her a lot over the past two years, and I would say that she rarely ever has a mishit,” Korda observed, praising Thitikul’s ball-striking.

Off the course, Thitikul enjoys shopping with friends and celebrating big wins modestly—last year’s $4 million payday funded a Disney trip and a new car, while this year’s promises more fun with Anannarukarn.

Looking ahead, Thitikul’s historic season positions her as the face of women’s golf entering 2026. Still without a major championship—despite several close calls, including a playoff loss at the Amundi Evian—she has time on her side at just 22.

Sörenstam’s praise serves as validation: Thitikul isn’t just breaking records; she’s shining brightly as the sport’s future. As the LPGA continues to grow in popularity, prize money, and global reach, players like Jeeno Thitikul ensure its brightest days are ahead.

This endorsement from Annika Sörenstam isn’t merely polite recognition; it’s a declaration that the young generation, led by Thitikul, is ready to carry the torch.

In breaking a 23-year-old record and sweeping the tour’s top honors, Jeeno Thitikul has proven she’s more than a rising star—she’s the brightest diamond illuminating the path forward for women’s golf.

With her talent, consistency, and humility, the Thai prodigy is poised to define the next decade, inspiring a new wave of players worldwide.