World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand hopes to continue her remarkable early season form by securing her first professional win in Singapore at the HSBC Women’s World Championship that starts on Thursday.
Jeeno closed her 2024 season by capturing the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship and has already got her 2025 season off to a winning start with her victory in PIF Saudi Ladies International for her 17th professional win worldwide.
Fresh from celebrating her 22nd birthday last week where she finished solo third at the Honda LPGA Thailand, Jeeno aims to replicate her winning form in the Lion City where her best result at the HSBC Women’s World Championship was a tied-fourth finish in 2022.
“My game is really going very well at the moment and I just want it to continue. It would be really special if I can get it (the win). I think what is going to be the key to achieving that would be my putting. This is because the green is relatively soft and it’s wide open. When I have a chance, I have to be aggressive when going for the pin,” said the Ratchaburi native, also known as Atthaya, before going with her nickname, Jeeno.
Adopting a relaxed mindset will also be crucial for the Thai as she seeks to extend her rich vein of form at the Singapore showpiece where she is making her fourth appearance this week.
“I’m more relaxed nowadays. I’ll just accept it if I miss some shots and feel like I’m not doing well out there. You can’t be good, like, every day, every shot that you play. It’s just golf and will be a game of mistakes. I’ve learnt to just accept the good and the bad better than before,” said Jeeno.
Meanwhile, Olympic gold medallist and LPGA Hall of Fame member Lydia Ko will make her third start of the season in Singapore this week. The former World No.1 has earned four top 10s at Sentosa Golf Club, including a runner-up finish in 2015 at a tournament which she holds in high regard for its prestige and hospitality.
“Somebody was actually asking me how many times I’ve been to Singapore and played this event, and I thought it was around, like, 11. The only time I really wasn’t here was because of COVID.
“It’s always exciting, and the fans are great. You know, all the partners that are here, it’s a huge kind of meet-up and the course is always in really pristine condition. Singapore is one of those places where I’m excited about the golf course and the tournament but things outside, as well. It’s a favourite spot for so many people, and I think it’s why like myself and four other players who have played it 10 times, we will probably be returning in the future too,” said Ko.
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – FEBRUARY 26: Lydia Ko of New Zealand tees off on the 10th hole during a Pro-Am prior to the HSBC Women’s World Championship 2025 at Sentosa Golf Club on February 26, 2025 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)Host country Singapore will welcome two Singaporeans for the first time as Shannon Tan and Chen Xingtong are set to feature in the 66-women field.
Tan made history by becoming the first Singaporean to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris last year and is set to fuel further interest in golf in the Republic as she returns home to compete for the first time this year after receiving her sponsor’s invitation from HSBC.
“I’ve basically grown up watching this event, and have also played in the HSBC Youth Golf Challenge. It’s always been my major, and it’s also Asia’s major. So, I’m really thankful and honoured to be playing in the HSBC Women’s World Championships. And it’s really good for Singapore golf to have two Singaporeans playing this week,” said Tan, who won her first professional title at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour last year.
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – FEBRUARY 26: Shannon Tan and Xingtong Chen of Singapore speak in a press conference prior to the HSBC Women’s World Championship 2025 at Sentosa Golf Club on February 26, 2025 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)Chen – a national squad member of the Singapore Golf Association – who earned her spot by winning the national qualifying tournament last month, echoed Tan’s remarks.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for Singapore golf and it shows how much golf in Singapore has grown as a whole. I was the only Singaporean in the field last year and it was also my first time competing at this event then. But looking ahead to this week, I’ll definitely be able to handle the pressure better with the experience I have,” said the 16-year-old.
The 2025 HSBC Women’s World Championship features 19 major champions, 46 LPGA winners with a combined total of 174 titles, 21 Solheim Cup players with 45 appearances, six former world No.1s, and for the first time two Singaporean players.
Of the 16 editions, 14 have been won by major champions, a testament to the golfers’ claim that this is ‘Asia’s Major’.
The 72-hole stroke play tournament will once again be played on The Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, which hosts its 12th edition of the tournament. Celebrated for its commitment to sustainability initiatives in golf globally, Sentosa Golf Club proudly holds the titles for, ‘Asia’s Best Golf Course’, ‘Asia’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ and ‘Singapore’s Best Golf Course’ as awarded at the 2024 World Golf Awards.
