World No. 1 Thitikul Confronts Major Championship Pressure at Chevron

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul enters the Chevron Championship facing intensified scrutiny about her major championship drought. Despite an impressive resume including 21 professional wins and LPGA Player of the Year honors in 2025, the Thai star remains without a major title.

The Major Championship Struggle

Nine top-10 finishes in 27 major starts tell the story of consistent excellence without the ultimate breakthrough. Thitikul held commanding positions at multiple majors, including the 36-hole lead at the 2024 Chevron Championship, only to see victories slip away to Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, and Grace Kim.

Evolving Pressure and Perspective

Last year, Thitikul maintained that she would have "no regrets" if she never won a major. However, time has shifted her perspective. "Every time I lose in a major, people remind me every week," she acknowledged, recognizing the mounting expectations that accompany her world No. 1 ranking.

The 2025 Kroger Championship provided a turning point. After four-putting the final hole to lose, Thitikul returned home in tears, photographing her swollen face as a reminder of golf's emotional toll. Weeks later, she channeled that pain into a historic comeback victory in Shanghai, showing the fire that drives elite competitors.

The Path Forward

Thitikul approaches this year's Chevron Championship understanding that "the first time is always the hardest." Her consistent contention suggests it's a matter of time before breaking through, but the weight of expectation continues to build with each near-miss.

The young champion from Ratchaburi, Thailand, who learned golf from her grandfather, has already exceeded her wildest dreams. Now she faces the ultimate test: proving she can conquer golf's biggest stages when the pressure is most intense.