Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul moves into contention at her home LPGA tournament in Thailand - HOT POINT

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Feb 20, 2026

Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul moves into contention at her home LPGA tournament in Thailand

Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul moves into contention at her home LPGA tournament in Thailand

CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — World No. 1-ranked Jeeno Thitikul shot a 9-under 63 Friday that moved her into second place at her home LPGA Thailand tournament on the Siam Country Club Old Course.

Associated Press Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand reacts after putting on the first hole during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan) Somi Lee of South Korea reacts after putting the ball on the 14th green during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan) Lydia Ko of New Zealand, watches her shot on the 5th green during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

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Thitikul trails second-rounder leaderSomi Leeby three strokes after Lee shot a 61, including aneagle 2from the fairway on the 15th hole. The South Korean player had a two-round total of 17-under 127.

The tournament about 125 kilometers (75 miles) east of Bangkok is the first of threeeventsin Asia in consecutive weeks, to be followed by those in Singapore and China in the so-called early Asian swing on the LPGA Tour.

Japan's Chizzy Iwai shot a bogey-free 62 that moved her into a tie for third place with New Zealander Lydia Ko (64), four off the lead.

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Thitikul hadfour birdies and an eagle over the last six holes of her front nine Friday, then birdied her 10th and 11th holes to move into the lead after trailing by two after the first round. But Thitikul cooled off on the remainder of her back nine, registering six straight pars before a birdie on 18.

Canadian Brooke Henderson had a 68 and was at 5-under, 12 strokes behind Lee.Defending champion Angel Yinhad a 75 and was at even par.

AP golf:https://apnews.com/hub/golf