World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul arrived at the Maybank Championship 2025 with her trademark composure and humility, speaking candidly to the media about her mindset, growth, and goals heading into one of her favorite events on the LPGA calendar.
The 22-year-old Thai star, who has finished runner-up in back-to-back editions of the Maybank Championship, reflected fondly on her connection with the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) — a venue she calls her “mini Thailand.”
“I think I just feel really comfortable here,” Jeeno smiled. “The course, the weather, and the fans make it feel like home. I always look forward to coming here.”
Fresh off her second LPGA victory of the season and a strong showing at the International Crown, Jeeno enters this week with confidence but also a grounded perspective.
“My ball striking has been really good these past few months,” she said. “But with golf, you never get 100%. Some weeks your driver feels great, and others you need to work on something else. I think not being fully confident is good for me — too much confidence can make you expect things, and when they don’t go as planned, you get frustrated easily.”
Despite her rapid rise and global acclaim, Jeeno remains refreshingly humble. Asked how she keeps enjoying herself while at the top, she emphasized the importance of constant self-improvement — both on and off the course.
“It’s not just about being World No. 1. I always try to keep improving myself as a person too,” Jeeno said. “Golf teaches you humility. You won’t have a good day every day, so you have to accept the bad ones as part of the journey.”
Jeeno also spoke warmly about inspiring the growing wave of young Thai players on the LPGA Tour, several of whom earned sponsor invites this week.
“It means a lot to see more Thai players coming up,” she said. “I’m happy to see familiar faces — it feels like a reunion with my old national teammates. I know I won’t be on Tour forever, so we need the next generation to come and do even better.”
When asked about Thailand’s continued dominance in women’s golf, Jeeno offered a thoughtful take on what “success” truly means.
“Everyone’s success is different,” she reflected. “For some, just being on Tour is success. For others, it’s finishing Top 5 or winning titles. Success doesn’t have to mean being No. 1 — you define it yourself.”
With two runner-up finishes already at Maybank, Jeeno is determined but realistic about her chances this year.
“Of course, I want to win,” she said. “But I don’t compare the result to last year — I compare the process. The fans here have been amazing every year, and I’ll try my best to give them something to cheer for.”
As the Maybank Championship 2025 tees off, Jeeno Thitikul remains not only a dominant force in women’s golf but also a symbol of grounded excellence — balancing ambition with authenticity, success with self-awareness, and competition with gratitude.
Credit Photo : Maybank
