Jeeno Thitikul carded a solid opening round in Phoenix. The Thai golfer must close the gap on early leader Lydia Ko.
Jeeno Thitikul made a promising start to the LPGA Tour event in Phoenix, posting a three-under-par round in the opening day of the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass. While the Thai golfer demonstrated solid form on the Arizona course, she faces an uphill battle to overtake the tournament leader.
Ko Sets the Pace Early
Lydia Ko holds the lead after the first round, positioning herself favorably as the week progresses in Phoenix. Thitikul’s three-under performance leaves her in the chase group, requiring additional ground to be made up in the remaining rounds to put pressure on the frontrunner.
The Ford Championship is a significant event on the LPGA Tour schedule, attracting top talent from around the world. Phoenix has established itself as a consistent stop on the women’s professional golf calendar, with the Wild Horse Pass course providing a solid test for the circuit’s elite players.
The Road Ahead
Thitikul’s opening round suggests she has the form needed to contend as the tournament develops. With three rounds remaining, the gap to Ko is manageable, though the Thai player will need to produce strong performances to mount a realistic challenge for the title. The coming rounds will determine whether Thitikul can find the additional strokes necessary to close on the leader and make a serious run at victory.
The tournament continues through the weekend in Phoenix, with the field competing for a significant purse on one of the LPGA Tour’s marquee events.
This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue