Jeeno Thitikul watched as her final birdie effort of the day rolled 10 feet down the slope and into the cup at the 18th hole at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club. Thitikul’s critical closing birdie on moving day at the CPKC Women’s Open lifted the world No. 1 to within three strokes of 54-hole leaders Minjee Lee and Brooke Henderson and gave Thitikul a spot in the penultimate group on Sunday.

Saturday, Thitikul showed why she’s the top-ranked player in the world as she scrambled her way around Mississauga Golf and Country Club where she missed five fairways and seven greens but still managed a two-under par round of 69 on a difficult day in Canada.

“We just have some like kind of wind and also the pin position was not easy at all,” Thitikul said about the challenges she faced on Saturday. “And then I think when we not in the green in regulations it's kind of hard to bounce back. The rough so thick and it's all around the green.”

At the par five 12th hole Thitikul was one of the few players in the field who was able to use her length to reach the green at the par five in two. And while she was unable to convert her eagle effort she did come away with a birdie to continue her climb up the leaderboard. She rolled in another long birdie effort at the par five 13th for a second consecutive birdie to keep pace with Brooke Henderson who was making a charge up the leaderboard.

This week has been a big one for Thitikul, who is making her first start since returning to No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings. Thursday morning on the first tee Thitikul’s caddie was given the green Rolex bib to wear to signify the young Thai’s position at the top of the world. It was a moment that Thitikul had talked about with her team and dreamed of experiencing. Thitikul overtook Nelly Korda at the top of the world rankings following the AIG Women’s Open. Thitikul had previously held the No. 1 ranking for two weeks in 2022.

While Thitikul said she was nervous to make her first start since returning to the top of the world rankings she says that she was also excited but that she has tried to approach the CPKC Women' s Open as just another week of work.

“I mean, like it's just another step of my life,” Thitikul said about returning to the No. 1 spot in the world.

During the first two days of the championship Thitikul was grouped with Henderson, and the duo chatted together throughout the day, not about golf but about food and desserts. Particularly Henderson’s sweet tooth. And while the fans have turned out in droves to support their Canadian star, Thitikul has been feeling the love, too. As a junior representing Thailand, Thitikul twice competed in the World Junior Girls Championships in Canada and has plenty of great vibes returning to the country as a professional.

“I think I love being in Canada,” said Thitikul about her experience this week. “I mean, all the fans. I know they were cheering for Brooke for sure, but also they're like cheering us on, other players and other putts. And then, yeah, it's been really good.”

Thitikul heads into the final round at eight-under par and will be paired on the last day with 36-hole leader Akie Iwai, who was a winner last week on the LPGA Tour at The Standard Portland Classic. Should Thitikul catch the two major champions atop the leaderboard, Lee and Henderson, Thitikul would become the first two-time winner of the season on the LPGA Tour as she won the Mizuho Americas Open in May.

World No. 1 Thitikul Positioned for Sunday Charge in Canada

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