The golf world was shaken when Pajaree Anannarukarn, known to fans as “May,” finally broke her silence. Speaking with a trembling, emotional voice, she confirmed that Jeeno Thitikul has been enduring far more than the public ever realized.
According to Pajaree, the past few months have been the darkest period of Jeeno’s young career. While fans only saw fluctuating results and rare moments of visible frustration, behind the scenes Jeeno was fighting battles that extended far beyond scorecards and leaderboards.
Pajaree revealed that Jeeno’s health has been a major concern, both physically and mentally. Continuous travel, relentless expectations, and unspoken pressure gradually accumulated, leaving Jeeno exhausted in ways that rest alone could not immediately repair.
She explained that Jeeno often chose silence not because she lacked support, but because she did not want to worry fans, sponsors, or her family back home. Carrying that weight alone slowly became overwhelming, even for someone as resilient as Jeeno.
On the course, Jeeno has always been praised for her calm demeanor and mature decision-making. Pajaree admitted that this composed exterior masked intense inner struggles, particularly during moments when her body no longer responded as reliably as before.
There were days, Pajaree said, when Jeeno woke up feeling drained before even stepping onto the practice range. Simple routines became mentally taxing, and the joy she once felt competing at the highest level started to feel distant.
Despite these challenges, Jeeno continued to compete, driven by responsibility and pride. Pajaree emphasized that many players would have stepped away much earlier, but Jeeno pushed herself, believing perseverance was the only acceptable option.
Pajaree’s voice cracked as she described late-night conversations between tournaments. Jeeno would question whether she was disappointing people, even while carrying injuries and emotional strain that few around her fully understood.
Health-wise, Pajaree clarified that Jeeno is not facing a single dramatic diagnosis. Instead, it has been a combination of fatigue, recurring physical discomfort, and mental burnout that gradually eroded her sense of balance and confidence.
She noted that mental health in professional golf remains a sensitive topic, especially in Asian sporting cultures where endurance and discipline are often valued above vulnerability or emotional openness.
Pajaree stressed that Jeeno never asked for special treatment. She trained, practiced, and competed like everyone else, often hiding pain behind a smile so teammates, fans, and media would not sense anything was wrong.
The pressure of being a national icon also weighed heavily. As one of Thailand’s most celebrated athletes, Jeeno constantly felt responsible for representing her country with excellence, even when her personal reserves were nearly empty.
Pajaree said that criticism on social media, though sometimes subtle, added another layer of stress. Jeeno read more comments than people assumed, and negative opinions lingered longer than praise.
At times, Jeeno questioned her own worth beyond trophies and rankings. Pajaree described moments when her friend wondered if she was only valued for winning, not for who she was as a person.
Still, Pajaree emphasized Jeeno’s strength. Even during her lowest moments, Jeeno remained kind, supportive, and deeply respectful toward fellow players, caddies, and staff, never allowing her struggles to turn into bitterness.
The decision to speak publicly did not come easily for Pajaree. She explained that she felt a responsibility to protect Jeeno’s privacy, but also to prevent misunderstandings and unfair judgments from dominating the narrative.
By sharing this truth, Pajaree hopes fans will show patience and empathy rather than speculation. She believes understanding can give Jeeno the space she needs to recover without feeling rushed back into peak performance.
Pajaree confirmed that Jeeno is now focusing on recovery, listening to medical professionals, and slowly rebuilding both physical strength and mental clarity, rather than obsessing over immediate results.
She added that stepping back does not mean giving up. For Jeeno, it represents a recalibration — learning to care for herself with the same discipline she applies to her golf swing.
Friends on tour have quietly rallied around Jeeno, offering companionship rather than advice. Pajaree said laughter, shared meals, and simple conversations have been just as important as therapy or treatment.
Looking ahead, Pajaree remains optimistic. She believes this difficult chapter could ultimately make Jeeno stronger, more self-aware, and more grounded as both an athlete and a person.
She reminded fans that Jeeno is still very young, despite her impressive résumé. Experiencing hardship early may help her build healthier boundaries for the long career still ahead.
Pajaree urged media outlets to avoid sensationalism. Turning pain into headlines, she said, risks undoing the progress Jeeno has made by reopening wounds that are only beginning to heal.
Instead, she hopes Jeeno’s story can spark broader conversations about athlete well-being, especially in individual sports where loneliness and pressure are often hidden behind success.
As Pajaree finished speaking, one message stood out clearly. Strength, she said, is not just about enduring silently, but about knowing when to pause, ask for help, and protect oneself.
For now, Jeeno’s priority is not rankings or trophies, but regaining peace. Pajaree believes that when Jeeno returns fully, she will do so with renewed purpose and deeper understanding.
Until then, Pajaree asks fans to continue supporting Jeeno not only as a champion, but as a human being navigating challenges that many never see, yet countless quietly share.
