Jeeno Thitikul is in contention to win $5 million in Naples, Florida, after already securing $1 million as the Aon Risk Reward Challenge winner and co-leading the CME Group Tour Championship with Angel Yin at 15 under. The historic $4 million winner’s check is up for grabs, and Thitikul is excited about the possibility of winning such a large sum of money. She jokingly mentioned her love for spending money, including some early Black Friday shopping and hiding her purchases from her parents.
Thitikul’s close friend Ruoning Yin is also having a strong performance at the tournament, sitting in third place at 12 under. The pair often discuss food on the course and have a strong friendship on and off the golf course. They previously won the Dow Championship together and have competed against each other in other tournaments. Thitikul has been on a hot streak, finishing in the top eight in her last six starts despite a thumb injury earlier in the year.
Yin credits her caddie Michelle Simpson for her success on the greens, as reading putts has been a challenge for her on the Tiburon Golf Club’s tricky greens. Yin broke her left ankle during the offseason, causing her season to start slowly. However, winning the 2023 Aon Risk Reward Challenge gave her financial freedom and allowed her to focus on her game without worrying about the paycheck.
Charley Hull, who recently won on the Ladies European Tour in Saudi Arabia, is also in contention at the CME Group Tour Championship. She finished second last week to Nelly Korda and has not finished outside the top 20 on tour since July. Hull, who won her first LPGA title at the 2016 CME, expressed that the $4 million prize money is not her motivation for playing golf, as she plays for the trophies and the love of the game.
As the final round approaches, the top players are focused on their game and not the potential prize money. Thitikul, Yin, and Hull are all determined to perform their best and strive for victory, regardless of the financial rewards. The competition at the CME Group Tour Championship is fierce, with players showcasing their skills and dedication to the sport. Fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome of the tournament and the crowning of the champion who will take home the $4 million winner’s check.
