Thailand's Atthaya "Jeeno" Thitikul won the 2026 Lotte Championship with a 21-under 267 at Hoakalei Country Club on Sunday afternoon.
Thitikul ended up winning by three strokes, as runner-up Ina Yoon finished with a 18-under 270.
With a two-stroke lead entering the 16th hole, Thitikul's lead evaporated when her tee shot went into the water. But she kept her composure, birdieing the 17th hole with a 20-foot putt, then closed her round with a par on 18.
Yoon, Thitikul's playing partner, drove into the water on the 17th hole and went on to bogey the hole.
Following the emotional swing of how her round ended, Thitikul was all laughs in her post-victory press conference.
"My leg is so sore," she said. "I mean, words cannot describe what I'm feeling right now. I mean, it's happy. A lot of feelings going on. The roller coaster of 15, 16, 17, and 18. So, just tired right now, but a good tired."
Italy's Carolina Melgratti, who was the leader halfway through the tournament, finished in a tie for sixth with a 14-under 274. Punahou alumna Allisen Corpuz was the highest finisher among golfers with Hawai‘i connections, finishing in a tie for 25th overall at 8-under 280.
Following the Lotte, the LPGA Tour is headed to Asia for four consecutive tournaments in China, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan, starting with the Buick LPGA Shanghai from Oct. 14-17. Thitikul is the defending champion of the LPGA Shanghai.
Thitikul, 23, now has 11 LPGA Tour titles to her name. She is within one of tying 30-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn for most by a player from Thailand.
Thitikul's Lotte victory also netted her a check of $450,000. She is now just the sixth player to surpass $20 million in LPGA career winnings, upping her total to $20,210,011.
"I need to pay more tax," Thitikul joked when asked what the $20 million milestone meant to her.
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
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