Atthaya Thitikul: Biography, Rankings, LPGA Wins, Records and Rise to World No. 1

Some golfers take years to find their moment. Atthaya Thitikul never really had to wait. By the time most kids her age were still figuring out school schedules, she was already rewriting record books. This is the story of a Thai teenager who turned a childhood hobby into a world No. 1 ranking — and did it faster than almost anyone before her.

Let’s walk through her whole journey, from a small town in Thailand to the very top of women’s golf.

Who Is Atthaya Thitikul?

Atthaya Thitikul is a Thai professional golfer best known for her calm demeanor, sharp putting, and a rise so quick it caught the whole golf world off guard. Fans and commentators usually just call her “Jeeno.” She turned pro in 2020 and, within a couple of seasons, was sitting at the top of the Rolex Rankings.

Quick Facts	Details
Full Name	Atthaya Thitikul
Nicknames	Jeeno, Jeen
Nationality	Thai
Born	February 20, 2003
Birthplace	Ban Pong district, Ratchaburi, Thailand
Height	5’4″ (1.62 m)
Turned Pro	2020
Parents	Montree Thitikul, Siriwan Thitikul
Tours	LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour, Thai LPGA
Career Peak	World No. 1 (2022)

Atthaya Thitikul’s full name, nickname and nationality

Her full name is Atthaya Thitikul, and she’s Thai through and through. Born and raised in Thailand, she carries the hopes of a country that has quietly become a powerhouse in women’s golf.

Why she is also known as Jeeno Thitikul

Here’s the thing — most people outside Thailand know her better as Jeeno Thitikul than by her formal name. “Jeeno” (sometimes spelled Jeen) is a childhood nickname that simply stuck. Broadcasters use it, fans use it, and it’s become part of her brand.

Atthaya Thitikul Age, Birthplace and Early Life

Born in Ban Pong, Ratchaburi, Thailand

Atthaya Thitikul was born on February 20, 2003, in the Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi, a province west of Bangkok. As of 2026, that makes her 23 years old. She grew up in a supportive household with her parents, Montree and Siriwan Thitikul.

How childhood health challenges led her to golf

What’s interesting is that golf wasn’t an obvious choice at first. As a child, Atthaya dealt with health issues and allergies. Physical, high-contact sports weren’t ideal for her. Golf, with its slower pace and controlled environment, turned out to be a better fit — and that small decision changed everything.

How Atthaya Thitikul Started Playing Golf

Choosing golf over tennis at age six

She picked up her first club around age six. Tennis was on the table too, but golf won out. To be honest, it’s easy to look back now and say it was destiny, but at the time it was just a young kid finding something she loved.

Family support and training trips to Bangkok

Her family backed her fully. That meant regular trips to Bangkok for proper coaching, which isn’t a small thing when you live outside the capital. That early investment of time and effort laid the groundwork. Before long, Atthaya Thitikul was representing Thailand’s national team as a junior.

Atthaya Thitikul’s Amateur Career and Early Breakthrough

Winning the Ladies European Thailand Championship at 14

In 2017, at just 14 years old, Atthaya Thitikul won the Ladies European Thailand Championship — as an amateur. Let that sink in. She beat seasoned professionals before she was even old enough to drive.

Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific and low amateur success

Her amateur résumé didn’t stop there. She claimed the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship, picked up low amateur honors, collected medals at the SEA Games and Summer Youth Olympics, and reached World Amateur Golf Ranking No. 1. By her mid-teens, she was already a name people knew.

Why Atthaya Thitikul Became the Youngest Winner in Professional Golf

The 2017 record-setting title

That 2017 win did something historic. At 14 years, 4 months and 19 days old, she became the youngest player ever to win a professional golf tournament. It’s the kind of record that makes headlines around the world.

How that victory changed her career

That single result put a spotlight on her. Suddenly, golf media in Thailand and beyond were watching every move she made. The pressure was real, but so was the belief that this teenager was the real deal.

Atthaya Thitikul’s Transition From Amateur to Professional

Turning pro in 2020

Atthaya Thitikul officially turned professional in 2020. The timing was tricky — the world was in a strange place that year — but she didn’t waste a second.

Five Thai LPGA Tour wins in one season

In her first pro year, she won five times on the Thai LPGA Tour. Five wins in a single season is a statement, and it proved her amateur success was no fluke.

Atthaya Thitikul on the Ladies European Tour

LET titles, consistency and Order of Merit success

Next came Europe. On the Ladies European Tour, she captured the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open and the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open. Her steady play earned her the LET Order of Merit — basically the season-long money and points title.

Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year recognition

She was also named LET Rookie of the Year, with Player of the Year recognition on top. All of this set her up perfectly to earn an LPGA Tour card for 2022.

Atthaya Thitikul’s LPGA Breakthrough at the JTBC Classic

How she beat Nanna Koerstz Madsen in a playoff

Her first LPGA Tour title arrived at the JTBC Classic Presented by Barbasol on March 27, 2022, at Aviara Golf Club in California. She edged out Nanna Koerstz Madsen in a playoff to seal it.

Why the final-round 64 mattered

Here’s what made it special. Atthaya trailed by six shots heading into the final round, then fired a blistering 64 to finish at 16-under 272. That comeback made her the youngest LPGA winner since Brooke Henderson. Not a bad way to announce yourself.

Atthaya Thitikul at Honda LPGA Thailand

Sharing the first-round lead in Thailand

Playing at home always hits different. At the Honda LPGA Thailand, held at Siam Country Club near Pattaya, she opened with an 8-under 64 to share the first-round lead in front of local fans.

Runner-up finish to Ariya Jutanugarn

She ended up runner-up to fellow Thai star Ariya Jutanugarn. A loss, sure — but a home-soil performance that showed she belonged among the very best.

Atthaya Thitikul Again in Contention on Tour in Somis

Strong putting and control at the MEDIHEAL Championship

At the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship in Somis, California, played at Saticoy Club in 2022, Atthaya Thitikul opened with a 5-under 67. Her stats told the story: 26 putts, 13 of 18 greens hit, and 9 of 14 fairways found.

How Somis reflected her rise toward world No. 1

She handled the club’s tricky, sloping greens beautifully. By then she was already in the conversation for the top ranking, and weeks like this kept the momentum rolling.

How Atthaya Thitikul Became World No. 1

Second-youngest women’s world No. 1 in history

Then came the big one. In late October and early November 2022, Atthaya Thitikul climbed to World No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings. She was 19 years, 8 months and 11 days old — making her the second-youngest woman ever to reach the summit.

Comparison with Lydia Ko and Park Sung-hyun

The only player younger to get there? Lydia Ko. Atthaya also became just the second rookie, after Park Sung-hyun, to reach No. 1 during a rookie season. And she was the second Thai woman, following Ariya Jutanugarn, to sit atop the world rankings.

Atthaya Thitikul’s Playing Style and Strengths

Putting, short game and composure under pressure

Ask anyone who watches her and they’ll mention the same things: a reliable putter, a sharp short game, and a level head. She rarely looks rattled, even when the leaderboard tightens.

Why she thrives on challenging golf courses

Tricky greens and demanding layouts tend to reward smart players over powerful ones. That’s Atthaya’s sweet spot. Her course management and calm decision-making help her shine when conditions get tough.

Atthaya Thitikul’s Career Records, Rankings and Achievements

LPGA wins, LET wins and worldwide victories

Her trophy cabinet includes LPGA Tour titles (the JTBC Classic and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship), multiple Ladies European Tour victories, five Thai LPGA wins in 2020, and a stack of worldwide professional titles.

Major finishes, rankings and awards

Add to that her LET Rookie of the Year and Order of Merit honors, LPGA Rookie of the Year recognition, a No. 1 world ranking, and consistent top-10 finishes across seasons. Her exact updated career totals beyond these are best checked against current tour records, as they continue to grow.

Atthaya Thitikul’s Influence on Thai Golf

Following Ariya Jutanugarn and inspiring a new generation

Thailand already had a golf icon in Ariya Jutanugarn. What Atthaya did was show it wasn’t a one-off. Alongside players like Patty Tavatanakit and Pajaree Anannarukarn, she’s proof that Thai women’s golf runs deep.

Why Jeeno Thitikul matters in global women’s golf

For young Thai kids picking up a club today, Jeeno Thitikul is a living blueprint. She’s approachable, grounded, and ridiculously good — the kind of role model a sport hopes for.

FAQs About Atthaya Thitikul

How old is Atthaya Thitikul?

She was born on February 20, 2003, making her 23 years old as of 2026.

What is Atthaya Thitikul’s nickname?

She’s widely known as “Jeeno” (sometimes spelled Jeen).

When did Atthaya Thitikul turn pro?

Atthaya Thitikul turned professional in 2020.

What was Atthaya Thitikul’s first LPGA win?

Her first LPGA Tour title came at the 2022 JTBC Classic, where she beat Nanna Koerstz Madsen in a playoff after a final-round 64.

How did Atthaya Thitikul become world No. 1?

Through consistent top finishes in 2022, she reached No. 1 at 19 years, 8 months and 11 days old — the second-youngest woman ever, behind only Lydia Ko.

 

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