Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Many amateur golfers are far too familiar with what it’s like to need four putts to complete a hole. The same can’t be said for someone who’s found themselves sitting at the top of the world rankings, but Jeeno Thitikul fell victim to an unfortunate development that saw her snatch defeat from the hands of victory while losing a significant chunk of dough in the process.
At this time last year, Jeeno Thitful occupied the 15th slot in the Women’s World Golf Rankings. However, a string of impressive finishes—including wins at the CME Group Tour Championship, Saudi Ladies International, and Mizuho Americas Open—propelled her up the standings until the 22-year-old phenom from Thailand secured the No. 1 spot at the start of August.
Thitkul has remained at the top since claiming the crown, and all signs pointed to her cementing her reign with a win at the Kroger Queen City Championship at TPC River’s Bend on Sunday. However, things took a very unexpected turn on the final hole of the tournament where Charley Hull was able to walk away with a win that didn’t seem to be in the cards when the two LPGA stars arrived on the 18th green.
Jeeno Thitikul gifted Charley Hull a win with a four-putt on the final hole of the Kroger Queen City Championship
Hull headed into the final round of the most recent tournament on the LPGA calendar with a one-stroke lead over Thitikul, but her playing partner had managed to pull out to one of her own by the time the two of them teed off on the final hole on Sunday.
Thitikul ended up on the green of the par-5 in two and had the chance to seal the deal with a 50-foot eagle putt that ended up going around five feet past the hole. Hull subsequently was granted the opportunity to put the pressure on by sinking an eagle from her own from the fringe, but what was already a slim hope to force a playoff seemingly vanished after she ended up with a two-footer for birdie.
However, Thitikul—who is one of the best putters the LPGA has to offer and was ranked fourth in strokes gain on that front this season—pushed her birdie putt past the hole and did the same with the par putt that opened the door for Hull to swoop in and get her first win since 2022.
TWO-SHOT SWING on the 72nd hole. 😳
Charley Hull makes birdie for the victory while Jeeno Thitikul bogeys. pic.twitter.com/GMindAABcl
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 14, 2025
It also ended up being a very costly development for Thitikul, who “only” took home $182,955 as opposed to the $300,00 Hull got for the victory.
Ouch.