SHANGHAI – LPGA stars Jeeno Thitikul and Minjee Lee are poised for a final-round showdown at the buick Shanghai,seeking to halt a record-tying streak of tournament parity as they chase their second victories of the 2024 season. The tournament marks a critical juncture in the LPGA season, wiht Minami Katsu holding a two-shot lead entering Sunday’s play and the potential to become the 27th unique winner on tour this year.
This season has been defined by its unprecedented distribution of victories. No player has won multiple times, a run that threatens to become the longest in LPGA history. thitikul, the World No. 1, secured her first win of the year at the Mizuho Americas Open in May and has recently come close to adding a second title, finishing as runner-up at both the FM Championship and the Kroger Queen City Championship. A costly four-putt on the 72nd hole at the Kroger Queen City Championship in August ultimately handed the trophy to Charley hull.
“If you told me I can get second in every tournament this year for the whole season, 30-something, I’ll take it,” Thitikul saeid, demonstrating a resilient mindset despite the near misses. “what I’m learning is the five wins that I have on the LPGA is the past as well, so I don’t carry on my shoulder. I don’t carry it in my head.” After a bogey-free 66 on Saturday,Thitikul is well-positioned to break through.
Lee, meanwhile, claimed her third career major championship at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas, overcoming sweltering temperatures and a five-stroke deficit to defeat Thitikul on the weekend.she began the third round of the Buick Shanghai five strokes off the pace, but surged with eight birdies in a ten-hole stretch, including five consecutive from holes 7-11.
Sunday’s final round will be played in challenging conditions, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s. The competition will pit Lee and thitikul against Katsu, who aims to secure her first LPGA victory and extend the historic run of first-time winners.
“Every time that I play in contention on Sunday, it’s really excitement and then nervous for sure,” Thitikul said. “Like 18 holes, 18 opportunities for everyone. Not just for me. so, I’m trying my best.”
