The press room at Qizhong Garden Golf Club buzzed with anticipation Thursday afternoon. Jeeno Thitikul sat across from reporters, fresh off a stunning 7-under 65 performance at the Buick LPGA Shanghai. She had just clawed back from a brutal 3-over start through two holes. Yet the questions weren’t just about her remarkable recovery. They centered on something bigger—her status as the World No. 1 golfer in women’s golf. And rightfully so, since she is the only second Thai golfer to be #1.

When asked about being at the top and how it might change her personality, Jeeno delivered wisdom that belied her 22 years. Her comment stood out, especially considering she had dethroned Nelly Korda just two months earlier after Nelly’s historic 71-week reign. Jeeno didn’t sugarcoat the reality of being #1. She acknowledged the compliments and the sudden influx of friends that comes with success. However, she also emphasized the importance of staying grounded throughout it all.

“I mean, I think like I always say, the higher you are is the more hungry you have to be,” she explained to the media. “When it’s you’re downtime, it’s—when you’re humbling and you get on top of the downtime, when you fall, it’s less pain and less hurt.”

“Golf and then the ranking won’t last forever. Nothing is forever,” she said. “Definitely one day I’m going down anyway for sure. Like it’s not going to last like forever because I know so many talented players competing better than me out there.”

She wasn’t being pessimistic. Instead, she displayed remarkable self-awareness about the competitive landscape surrounding her. Jeeno also credited her team for keeping her anchored to reality.

“I’m so lucky that I have the best team ever that keeps me—like when I’m on the top, they’re not going to compliment, but when I’m not having a good time, they will keep pushing me up,” she explained. This balanced approach has clearly shaped her mindset. Her personality and humility, she believes, explain why she sits at the top of the rankings today.

The journey to World No. 1 wasn’t overnight. Jeeno first claimed the position back in October 2022, but only for a brief period of two weeks. She returned to the summit on August 4, 2025, following Korda’s T36 finish at the AIG Women’s Open. Since then, she has extended her lead significantly. Her T2 finish at the Kroger Queen City Championship pushed her to 443.23 points—a commanding 109.88-point advantage over Korda.

Jeeno’s humble outlook isn’t just a personality trait—it reflects the current reality of the LPGA Tour.

LPGA Tour’s record-breaking 2025 season proves Jeeno Thitikul right

The 2025 LPGA season has produced an unprecedented 26 different winners through just 25 official events. This ties the record previously set in 1995, 2018, and 2022. Seven rookies have already captured their maiden victories this year.

When the moderator informed Jeeno that she had tied the record during her press conference, her eyes widened. “We tied the record, which is so amazing,” she responded. The depth of competition hasn’t escaped her notice. “It’s just the time of everyone showing off, like the performance-wise of the players trying to play as best as possible that they can do,” she observed.

The competitive landscape has shifted dramatically. Winners have emerged from eight different countries this season. LPGA pro Andrea Lee recently explained the challenge to KCAL News, noting that breaking into the winner’s circle has never been harder. The margin for error has essentially vanished. This unprecedented parity makes sustained dominance nearly impossible—validating why Jeeno believes her time at No. 1 carries an expiration date.

Jeeno’s recognition of this competitive landscape sets her apart. She doesn’t view her ranking as a permanent throne. Instead, she sees it as a temporary privilege earned through consistent performance. Her one victory at the Mizuho Americas Open, combined with 11 top-10 finishes in 17 events, reflects the steady excellence required in today’s LPGA Tour.

As she leads the field in Shanghai this week, Jeeno carries more than just the World No. 1 ranking. She brings a grounded perspective that acknowledges the humbling nature of the game of golf. In an era where 26 different players can win in a single season, her humility makes sense for anyone hoping to stay at the top.