“Couldn't ask for better”: Jeeno Thitikul heads to Maybank Championship final day tied with two other young LPGA superstars
The 2024 Maybank Championship is currently led by upcoming LPGA stars, Jeeno Thitikul, Ruoning Yin and Haeran Ryu, who are tied at 16-under with 18 holes left to play. All three golfers are still in their early-20s, but have showed tremendous potential with at least one title to their names this season.
The tournament wrapped up its third round on Saturday with Thitikul hitting a 64. The score helped her move from ninth place up to the tied top spot. She is currently tied for the lowest 18-hole score at the 2024 Maybank Championship. She spoke about her excellent round (via LPGA):
"Was good. Couldn't ask for better. I mean, like I have been in contention week in, week out, and then what I focus for about, it's just like trying to do better every day no matter any people going to do. But like today is the day I really enjoy playing and everything went so well,"
Thitikul had been close to winning the 2023 edition of the championship before losing to Celine Boutier in the nine-hole playoff. The 21-year-old has ten top-10 finishes this year, out of which five were consecutive and recorded just before the 2024 Maybank Championship. She also won the Dow Championship with partner Ruoning Yin in June this year. The Thai golfer is also in contention for the 2024 Vare Trophy awarded to the golfer with the lowest scoring average throughout the season.
Thitikul will now head into the final day of the tournament tied with fellow promising stars, Ruoning Yin and Haeran Ryu as they will battle it out to win the Tiger Trophy.
"We're like the new generation coming up" - Jeeno Thitikul
The 2024 Maybank Championship is currently being held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Round 3 co-leader Jeeno Thitikul is eager to put on a good show for golf fans as she heads into the final day of the event tied with Ruoning Yin and Haeran Ryu. She said that they will be trying to emulate the generations before them. (via LPGA):
"We trying to put a show for all the fans here. We're like the new generation coming up. Just a new generation trying to be like the previous generations that put on all the show for all the fans."
The leaders are paired together for the final showdown on Sunday. The trio will tee off at 9:17 am local time.