🔴 “I didn’t expect Americans to be like this” — Jeeno Thitikul shocked everyone with harsh words aimed at Nelly Korda over her behavior toward her after losing at the 2025 CME Group Tour Championship. But Nelly Korda immediately fired back with a five-word reply that left fans — and Thitikul herself — speechless!

The 2025 CME Group Tour Championship ended in dramatic fashion, but it was not just the golf on display that caught the attention of the fans and media.

Following the final round, the event was rocked by a shocking exchange between Jeeno Thitikul and Nelly Korda that has since sent shockwaves throughout the golfing world.

Thitikul, the young Thai star who had been a rising force in women’s golf, took to social media with a controversial post criticizing Korda’s behavior after their head-to-head clash at the prestigious event, where Korda emerged victorious.

In her post, Thitikul expressed her disappointment in Korda, accusing the American golfer of being disrespectful in the aftermath of their match.

“I didn’t expect Americans to be like this,” Thitikul wrote, suggesting that Korda’s conduct was not in line with the sportsmanship and respect that she had come to expect from her fellow competitors.

The comment was harsh and unexpected, considering the usually composed nature of Thitikul, who had earned respect for her professionalism on the course.

The fallout from Thitikul’s words was immediate. Fans and analysts across the golf world were stunned, with many questioning the source of Thitikul’s frustration.

Some speculated that Thitikul may have been feeling the pressure after coming so close to winning the title, while others suggested that it could have been a response to Korda’s perceived lack of warmth toward her following the competition.

Whatever the case, the comment quickly ignited a firestorm on social media, and it was clear that the rivalry between the two players had reached a boiling point.

As the news spread, it didn’t take long for Nelly Korda to respond. Known for her composed demeanor and focus on her game, Korda’s reply to Thitikul’s accusations was sharp and concise.

In a brief yet powerful message posted to her social media accounts, Korda fired back with a five-word reply that left everyone, including Thitikul, speechless: “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

The simplicity of Korda’s response was striking, especially in the face of such an inflammatory accusation. In just five words, Korda effectively shut down Thitikul’s critique, leaving little room for further debate. The reaction from fans was immediate and overwhelming.

Social media exploded, with followers of both players expressing their thoughts on the exchange. Many fans praised Korda for maintaining her composure and not engaging in a prolonged back-and-forth, while others expressed surprise at the severity of Thitikul’s remarks and the directness of Korda’s response.

For Thitikul, Korda’s response was unexpected and left her with little to say in return. The young Thai golfer, who had spent much of her career building a reputation for humility and professionalism, was left to reconsider her words in light of Korda’s quick and cutting reply.

“I honestly didn’t expect that,” Thitikul later admitted in an interview. “Nelly’s response was sharp, and I realize now that maybe I let my emotions get the best of me. I shouldn’t have said what I did.”

In the days following the exchange, both players were under intense scrutiny from fans and the media. The story quickly became the focal point of the 2025 season’s post-tournament coverage, overshadowing the results of the Championship itself.

Some analysts defended Thitikul, arguing that she was simply expressing her frustration after a difficult loss, while others criticized her for making the situation more personal than it needed to be.

On the other hand, many hailed Korda for handling the situation with grace and dignity, especially given the emotional nature of the criticism.

What made the situation particularly surprising was the fact that both Thitikul and Korda have been seen as friends and rivals who have supported each other in the past. Their rivalry on the course has been intense, but off the course, they have often shared mutual respect.

This made Thitikul’s post all the more unexpected, as it seemed to be an uncharacteristic shot at a fellow competitor. The incident raised questions about the pressures that professional athletes face and how the emotional toll of competition can sometimes spill over into unexpected places.

Despite the backlash, Thitikul and Korda quickly moved past the exchange. Thitikul, having reflected on the situation, issued a public apology to Korda, acknowledging that her frustration had led her to speak in a way that was unbefitting of the respect she held for Korda as a fellow player.

“I want to apologize to Nelly and to all my fans who may have been hurt by my words. It was a moment of frustration, and I realize now that it was wrong to let my emotions dictate my actions.”

Korda, for her part, accepted the apology graciously, demonstrating her ability to rise above the situation. “We’re all competitors, and sometimes emotions can get the best of us,” Korda said. “I respect Jeeno and everything she’s done for the game, and I’m glad we were able to move past this.”

The incident, while brief, has opened up an important conversation about the pressures and challenges that professional athletes face in their careers. Both Korda and Thitikul are at the top of their game, and the level of competition in women’s golf is fierce.

The emotions that come with such a competitive environment can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or mistakes, but ultimately, it is how players handle these situations that defines their character.

In the aftermath, both players have returned their focus to their game, with Korda continuing her pursuit of more titles and Thitikul vowing to learn from the experience.

The episode, while brief, has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the golfing world, reminding everyone that behind the polished performances on the course, there are real human emotions and pressures at play.

As for Nelly Korda, her five-word reply may have been short, but it sent a clear message: she wasn’t going to be drawn into a personal feud. Instead, she chose to rise above the situation and let her game speak for itself.

This brief yet defining moment in the 2025 season will surely be remembered as a testament to Korda’s resilience and maturity in the face of adversity.