Australia’s Steph Kyriacou made a stunning hole-in-one as world No.1 Jeeno Thitikul won the lucrative US$4 million LPGA Tour Championship at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Florida.
The 22-year-old Thai superstar finished -26, four shots clear of countrywoman Pajaree Anannarukarn, having strung together rounds of 67, 63, 64, and 68 to win the season-ending tournament for a second straight year.
Thitikul sealed the victory in style, draining a birdie putt at the last to clinch the biggest cheque in the history of the women’s tour, while world No.2 Nelly Korda came third, six shots back.
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Thitikul’s dominance was showcased by the fact she was the only player to win three times for the years, and she also broke the LPGA record for scoring average in a season.
NAPLES, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 23: Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand celebrates her winning putt on the 18th green during the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship 2025 at Tiburon Golf Club on November 23, 2025 in Naples, Florida. Julio Aguilar/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Julio Aguilar / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
Kyriacou, meanwhile, fired one of the best final rounds with a six-under par 66 to finish in a share of 13th place at -12 for the tournament alongside fellow Australian Minjee Lee.
The 25-year-old, who celebrated her birthday on Saturday, received a gift from the golf gods a day late when she made an ace at the par 3 eighth that unfortunately was not captured by broadcast cameras.
“Yeah, I hit a 9-iron and actually the girl in my group I played with, Hye-Jin, she had one on 5. So when I had mine I was like this is like a joke; this never happens,” Kyriacou said.
“Yeah, it was a pretty ten-out-of-ten shot. Hitting right towards it. I picked up my tee and went to the side and everyone started cheering. Couldn’t see it go in but heard it from the cheers.”
Kyriacou has featured regularly on highlight reels this tournament, making her first ever career ace with a slam dunk in the final major of the year.
In the same event in Wales, she also assisted Mimi Rhode’s hole-in-one as it ricocheted off the Australian’s ball and into the cup.
“I had one earlier this year at the British Open, so picking good tournaments to have them at. Unfortunately not the good holes. Didn’t get the car. Maybe next time,” Kyriacou said with a laugh.
Lee almost produced a stunning hole-out of her own, but was denied an eagle from the fairway at the 15th by a cruel lip out.
The 29-year-old, who won the Annika Award for the best player in women’s majors this year, which included her victory at the Women’s PGA Championship, shot a one-under par final round 71 to drop out of the top ten, but she still enjoyed a fantastic season, finishing third in the LPGA’s season-long rankings.
The three-time major champion has also risen to fourth in the world rankings, having started the year 17th.
Evian Championship winner Grace Kim was the next best of the Australians, coming in a tie for 26th at -10 after a three-under par final round 69.
Fellow major champion Hannah Green was the other Australian to reach the LPGA’s top 60 for the season-ending event, and she finished tied 51st at -2 overall.
