Thitikul won for the third time on the LPGA Tour this year, and a final birdie on the final hole at Tiburon Golf Club gave her the lowest scoring average in tour history.
That was never really in doubt when Thitikul started with a six-shot lead over Nelly Korda, the American she replaced at No. 1 in the women’s world rankings this year.
Anannarukarn made it a contest, though, with five birdies in seven holes and within two shots to the back nine. Thitikul birdied the 10th and 13th holes, while her Thai friend dropped a shot at the par-3 12th to cut the lead to five shots.
From there it was reaching the finish line and getting soaked in bubbles on the 18th green. She joins Jin Young Ko as the only consecutive winners of the CME Group Tour Championship.
Thitikul finished at 26-under 262 for a four-shot victory.
The win secured her the winning LPGA Player of the Year and the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, the two biggest prizes in women’s golf.
Korda becomes the first player since Tiger Woods in 2010 to go from a seven-win season to not winning the following year.
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