Women's PGA: Jeeno Thitikul Maintains Lead as Scorching Conditions Test Competitors' Endurance
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Golf's Heat Wave: 22-Year-Old Atthaya Thitikul Leads Women's PGA Championship
Atthaya Thitikul, a 22-year-old rising star, stormed into the lead at the Women's PGA Championship with an impressive round of 68. Despite a blip at the par-four fourth hole where she recorded a double-bogey six, the Thai golfer reeled off six birdies to leave her one stroke ahead of the competition.
With only 15 players managing to score under par in the first round, it's clear that the demanding conditions are taking their toll. In fact, the searing heat and wind have made the PGA Frisco course a beast for the competitors[5].
Minjee Lee, an Australian contender, put in a rollercoaster round with seven birdies and four bogeys, finishing just a shot behind Thitikul with a score of 3-under-par 69. The Aussie admitted that the scorching temperatures in the high 90s were a real challenge. "I couldn't get enough water out there," Lee said[2].
A host of other players followed closely behind, including Rio Takeda, Lee So-mi, and Yealimi Noh, who all carded two-under-par 70s. Nelly Korda, the world number one, found the heat a struggle, too, and sits four shots off the pace after an opening level-par 72[3].
The harsh weather conditions are certainly testing the players' patience and skill. Atthaya Thitikul, who has already amassed 18 wins as a professional, including five on the LPGA Tour, said she had taken a patient approach after shrugging off her early double-bogey disappointment. "I told myself just to be really patient," Jeeno said after her round. "I definitely know I'm going to miss a shot or make a bogey during the day"[1].
Auston Kim, who posted a one-under-par 71, agreed that dealing with the intense heat was the most challenging aspect of the day[4]. "There were times I had to lock in really hard just because the heat is taking a toll on you," Kim said. "You kind of want to just get into a daze, and it's hard to focus."
The golfers are battling through the heat, but it's the crafty ones who will come out on top at PGA Frisco.
© 2025 AFP
[1] The Associated Press. (2025, May 24). Atthaya Thitikul takes one-stroke lead after Women's PGA Championship first round. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/35386815/atthaya-thitikul-claims-one-stroke-lead-womens-pga-championships-first-round[2] Reuters. (2025, May 24). Jeuno, Lee lead at Women's PGA Championship. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/minjee-lee-tied-lead-womens-pga-championship-2025-05-24/[3] Associated Press. (2025, May 24). Atthaya Thitikul Leads Women's PGA Championship. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2025/05/24/womens-pga-championship-leaderboard-atthaya-thitikul-minjee-lee-nelly-korda/7259537001/[4] Yahoo Sports. (2025, May 24). Women's PGA Championship: First Round Recap. Yahoo Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-pga-championship-round-1-recap-minjee-lee-atthaya-thitikul-nelly-korda-185715140.html[5] Golf.com. (2025, May 24). Women's PGA Championship 2025: Leaderboard, Scores, Highlights, and Results. Golf.com. https://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/2025/05/24/womens-pga-championship-2025-leaderboard-scores-schedule-tee-times-tv-coverage-u-s-golfer-scores-highlights-results/
- spectators who enjoy watching sports may find the Women's PGA Championship, where golf is being played, particularly interesting this year.
- After a day of intense competition, even professional golfers like Austin Kim might want to engage in a relaxed game of another sport to recover, like a round of putting on a mini golf course.
