Pattaya: Golf fans rejoiced as Gino-Attaya Thitikul won the Honda LPGA Thailand 2026, using composure to narrowly defeat Chizzi Iwai, the world number 30 from Japan, by just one stroke. This victory makes her the third Thai golfer to win this tournament, following May-Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty-Papangkorn Dhavatanakit in 2024. The world number one golfer described the tournament as very special for Thais and said the feeling of winning a major championship was as magnificent as achieving it.
According to Thai News Agency, the 19th Honda LPGA Thailand 2026, a world-class women's golf tournament, was held at Siam Country Club Old Course in Pattaya, Chonburi province. 72 world-class golfers from the LPGA Tour competed for a total prize pool of US$1.8 million (approximately 60 million baht). A special hole-in-one prize was also up for grabs: a Honda GoldWing motorcycle worth 1,355,000 baht at hole 8, and a new Honda CR-V e:HEV RS with Modulo accessories worth 1,863,220 baht at hole 16. Golf fans from all over the world traveled to support Thai golfers in securing another championship victory on home soil.
Gino-Attaya Thitikul, the world number one and Thailand's favorite golfer, who led after the third round with a total score of 20 under par 196 (67-63-66), teed off in the final round alongside Hyojoo Kim, world number 9 from South Korea, who came in second at 18 under par, and Allysen Corpuz, world number 68 from the United States, in a tie for third place at 17 under par. A record number of enthusiastic fans cheered her on. Gino maintained her excellent form on the final day, clinching the championship with a total score of 24 under par 264, to thunderous cheers throughout the course.
The 2025 LPGA Tour Female Golfer of the Year, a 23-year-old from Ratchaburi province, said she was very happy and proud to win this tournament because it was the only one she played at home in front of her family and with so many golf fans cheering her on. It felt like a dream come true. She wouldn't have reached this point without the support of those behind the scenes, including her family, coaches, caddies, and sponsors. And she can't forget to thank all the golf fans, both those watching on the course and those cheering her on across the country, for their immense support. This made the tournament truly special for Thai people.
"Winning the championship at home is an amazing feeling, very similar to winning a Major. Playing the 18th hole after the front group had already played was not easy, but I finally did it. My family cheered me on for all 18 holes. I won the final hole in front of my mother, and she cried after I won."
Gino-Athaya made a birdie on the first hole before bogeying on the 4th. She then collected four birdies on holes 6, 7, 8, and 10. Playing the par-5 18th hole, after Chizzi Iwai, the world number 30 from Japan, had finished first with 23 under par, Gino-Athaya's second shot landed on the green but rolled off. Before chipping in from a distance of the flag and narrowly missing a birdie putt for a par, she finished with a 4-under-par 68, for a total of 24-under-par 264 (67-63-66-68), successfully winning the Honda LPGA Thailand 2026 championship. Chizzie Iwai created a stir and pressured the leader throughout the tournament with two eagles at holes 7 and 10, along with two birdies, but only managed a 6-under-par 66, for a total of 23-under-par 265 (69-62-68-66), securing the runner-up position by just one stroke.
Third place went to Hyo Joo Kim, world number 9 from South Korea, who shot 4 under par 68 for a total of 22 under par 266 (68-65-65-68). Fourth place was Somi Lee, world number 38 from South Korea, who also shot 4 under par 68 for a total of 21 under par 267 (66-61-72-68). Nanna Kurz Madsen, the 2022 Honda LPGA Thailand champion and world number 61 from Denmark, shot 9 under par 63 for a total of 20 under par 268 (69-67-69-63), sharing fifth place with Lydia Ko, world number 6 from New Zealand, who shot 4 under par 68 for a total of 268 (67-64-69-68).
Winning the Honda LPGA Thailand 2026 resulted in Gino-Attaya Thitikul receiving a prize of US$270,000, or approximately 8,370,000 baht. This victory also made her the third Thai golfer to win this tournament, following May-Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty-Papangkorn Dhavattanagij in 2024. It was also her eighth LPGA Tour title and her first win of the 2026 season.
Performance of Thai golfers.
May-Ariya Jutanugarn, the 2021 Honda LPGA Thailand champion and world number 25, rallied on the final day, shooting 7 under par with one eagle and seven birdies, but also a double bogey on hole 14. Her total score was 18 under par 270 (67-71-67-65), placing her in a tie for 8th. She expressed surprise at her performance, noting her poor score on the first nine holes of the previous three rounds, but exceeding expectations with her final round performance, including an eagle on hole 7 and a double bogey on hole 14. She was very satisfied with her result and stated that she will focus on maintaining her physical condition for the new season and hopes to win one more tournament before retiring from professional golf.
Myo-Pacharee Anannarukarn, ranked 49th in the world, shot a 5-under-par 67 for a total of 13-under-par 275 (68-72-68-67), tying with Praw Chanettee Wannasen, ranked 56th in the world, who shot a 1-under-par 71 for a total of 275 (65-71-68-71). They are tied for 18th place.
April-Chanoknan Angkurasreni, the champion of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2026 National Qualifiers, shot an even par 72, for a total of 12 under par 276 (71-69-64-72), placing her in a tie for 24th position.
Ring-Pornanong Phetlump, ranked 258th in the world, shot 1 under par 71, for a total of 7 under par 271 (70-68-72-71), placing her in a tie for 42nd.
Prim Prachnakorn, a member of the Thai national amateur golf team, shot 1 over par 73, for a total of 6 over par 294 (74-72-75-73), placing him in a tie for 65th.
Mo-Moriya Jutanugarn, ranked 205th in the world, shot a 7-over-par 79, for a total of 16-over-par 304 (73-75-77-79), placing her in 72nd position.