World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul Wins Back-to-Back Mizuho Americas Titles on Different Courses

Jeeno Thitikul did it again. The Thai star carded a final-round 3-under 69 to win the Mizuho Americas Open by four strokes Sunday at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey, defending her title in dominant fashion and proving she's among the best players on the planet right now.

This wasn't just any repeat. Thitikul won the same tournament last May at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, also by four shots. Winning back-to-back at different courses is no small feat, and it speaks to her consistency and ability to adapt. The World No. 2 finished the week at 13-under 275 and led the leaderboard for the final three days without ever looking back.

A Second Win in 2026

This victory marks Thitikul's second win of the year after capturing a title in her native Thailand in February. It's her ninth win on the LPGA Tour and keeps her climbing closer to Nelly Kord, who regained the No. 1 ranking from Thitikul last month and took this week off following consecutive wins. Thitikul earned the $487,500 championship check for her efforts.

The back-to-back champ wasn't focused on the rankings or chasing the leaderboard. "I think for me, world ranking or top players doesn't really define what I'm doing," Thitikul said after the win. "I think I'm just trying to do my best out there, trying to be as consistent as I can, because I know it's going to be a really tough competition in and out every week."

Yin's Strong Chase Falls Short

China's Ruoning Yin gave Thitikul everything she had on Sunday. Yin shot a final-round 69 and finished alone in second at 9 under par, five shots back. She ripped five birdies on the front nine, including four straight at holes 5 through 8, but couldn't keep the momentum on the back nine with two bogeys and zero birdies.

"I didn't see the leaderboard at all and I didn't know the situations at all," Thitikul explained about how she managed the pressure. "I just really stayed in my bubble. I just really focused on my tempo, what I can control, and then it turned out to be good."

Thitikul made birdies early at holes 2 and 3, then rattled off nine straight pars before a bogey at the par-5 13th. She locked up the win with back-to-back birdies at holes 16 and 18.

Yin remained upbeat despite the loss, her fifth runner-up finish in 19 months. "I think something cool is going to happen," she said. "I just don't know when."

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.