NAPLES, Fla. – Jeeno Thitikul has an opportunity to go away Naples, Florida, this week with $5 million. She’s already wrapped up $1 million because the Aon Danger Reward Problem winner and at present co-leads the CME Group Tour Championship after a blinding 9-under 63.
Thitikul and in a single day chief Angel Yin high the board at 15 beneath at Tiburon Golf Membership, with an historic $4 million winner’s verify on the road.
When requested for her ideas on the potential of profitable $5 million in a single week, Thitikul laughed and mentioned that $1 million is sweet sufficient for her earlier than noting her love of spending cash. Simply yesterday she did some early Black Friday procuring.
“It’s a lot of thing I buy,” she mentioned, laughing. “Simply foolish issues, essential issues. I don’t know. Really, that’s good that I’m right here as a result of my mother and father gained’t know what I’m spending.
“But don’t tell my parents that.”
Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand speaks with the Golf Central solid throughout a interview on Golf Channel after profitable the 2024 Aon Danger Reward Problem forward of the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Membership in Naples, Florida. (Photograph by Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs)
Thitikul spent Saturday afternoon alongside shut pal Ruoning Yin, who shot 66 and holds solo third at 12 beneath. Yin mentioned they principally discuss meals contained in the ropes, noting that Thitikul generally comes over for lunch after observe when the Dallas residents are each on the town.
“She’s crushing it,” mentioned Yin of her pal.
The pair teamed as much as win the Dow Championship earlier this yr, after which Yin clipped Thitikul by a stroke on the Maybank Championship. Thitikul, who suffered a thumb damage earlier this yr, hasn’t completed outdoors the highest eight in her final six begins.
“Whatever is going to happen tomorrow,” mentioned Thitikul, “I take it as a learning experience. It’s not about life or death.”
Yin has given credit score all week to caddie Michelle Simpson for her success on the greens. The pair began working collectively for the primary time on Monday.
“I’ve always had a really tough time reading greens here,” mentioned Yin, “although I’ve been dwelling in Florida since 2018.
“It’s just really rough for me because I grew up in California and it’s Poa and Bent and all that stuff. So these greens are always rough, and with her help I’ve been able to get a few lines in.”
Yin’s season additionally obtained off to a sluggish begin after she broke her left ankle in Austria in the course of the offseason. The 26-year-old American gained the 2023 Aon Danger Reward Problem and mentioned the seven-figure verify gave her freedom.
Charley Hull of England performs her shot from the seventh tee in the course of the third spherical of the CME Group Tour Championship 2024 at Tiburon Golf Membership on November 23, 2024 in Naples, Florida. (Photograph by Scott Taetsch/Getty Photographs)
Hull, who lately gained on the Women European Tour in Saudi Arabia, loves being a chaser. She completed second final week to Nelly Korda at The Annika pushed by Gainbridge at Pelican and hasn’t completed outdoors the highest 20 on tour since July.
Hull gained her first LPGA title on the 2016 CME and claimed a $500,000 paycheck. When requested if the $4 million could be on her thoughts Sunday, she mentioned not one bit.
“I don’t play golf for the money; I play golf for the trophies,” mentioned Hull. “I just want to go out there and win no matter what the paycheck is. Obviously grateful for it being $4 million.”
