Thitikul Dominates CME Group Tour Championship, Poised for Back-to-Back Wins
A commanding performance from Ariya Thitikul has positioned her as the clear frontrunner at the CME Group Tour Championship, leaving the field chasing a six-shot deficit heading into the final round.She’s demonstrating a level of play that echoes her victory from last year, and she’s focused on maintaining momentum.
Thitikul finished the third round at 22-under par 196, a score that suggests she’s not just aiming to win, but to replicate – or even surpass – her performance from 2022. her strategy remains remarkably simple, yet incredibly effective.
A Round of Remarkable Consistency
Thitikul’s Saturday wasn’t without a minor stumble, beginning wiht a bogey on the par-5 opening hole. However, she quickly recovered, igniting a run of four birdies in five holes. Furthermore, she continued her surge with four consecutive birdies on the back nine, effectively seizing control of the tournament.
Here’s a snapshot of her remarkable statistics thru 54 holes:
* Birdies: 24
* Fairways Missed: 5
* Greens Missed: 6
This level of precision highlights the consistency that sets her apart. You can see why many beleive this tournament is hers to lose.
The Chase is On
Nelly Korda and Pajaree Anannarukarn both carded impressive 65s, but remain six strokes behind Thitikul. Korda, in particular, faces mounting pressure as she seeks to avoid a second winless season in three years.
Anannarukarn, the final qualifier for the season-ending event, is enjoying a remarkable chance. She chipped in for an eagle on the sixth hole, proving she’s fully embracing the moment. “Coming into this week I think it was a good opportunity,” she stated, “and with how I’ve been playing this season I’m really happy how I’ve been playing.”
Sei Young Kim sits in fourth place, seven shots back after a 68, while Gaby Lopez fired the low round of the week – a stunning 62. Though, all eyes remain on Thitikul.
A Historic Opportunity
Thitikul has a chance to join an exclusive club.She could become only the second player, alongside Jin young Ko, to win back-to-back CME Group Tour championships.
Korda acknowledges the challenge, stating she won’t alter her approach despite the deficit.”You are out there competing hard and you’re trying to win, but you also have to not get too ahead of yourself,” she explained. “As if you start to get a little too ahead of yourself and push a little too hard, those mistakes do start to creep in.”
Ultimately, this tournament is shaping up to be a compelling final round. But with her current form, Thitikul appears well-positioned to make history and secure a second consecutive championship title. You’ll want to tune in to see if she can close it out.
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