Tom Kim Admits to Being a ‘Nobody’ Leaving Jeeno Thitikul in Denial as She Gives Him a Strong Wake-Up Call

Jeeno Thitikul, the winner of the CME Group Tour, is back on the course following a huge $4 million victory. To be honest, that was quite a show! The LPGA pro carded 22 under par in the most recent LPGA event with a 72.13% drive accuracy percentage. But it is still unclear if the winner will be able to surpass Lydia Ko’s 2024 record in this year’s Grant Thornton Invitational. Thitikul will be playing at the Tiburon Golf Course with three-time PGA Tour winner Tom Kim. Although they had previously shared the greens, the stakes are quite high this time.

The two have reached Naples and are practicing for the showdown on the 13th of December. Thitikul has been on fire in her last few events, but what made it more special was his humility. When asked about how long they’ve known each other, he said, “I was kind of like a nobody for a long time.” This statement speaks volumes about Kim’s down-to-earth personality.

Kim has been a long-time admirer of Jeeno Thitikul’s skills, saying, “She was really, really good from a young age. She was really famous already, so she was always in that spotlight.” He also praised her ability to find joy outside of golf, saying, “She still consistently finds joy outside of golf and doesn’t let work overwhelm her. I think that’s really cool, and I’ve been able to learn a lot.”

The LPGA pro, however, was quick to react in a tone containing a mixture of laughter and disbelief. “No way. At least he remembers, at least,” Thitikul remarked during the pre-tournament press conference. “I knew that he worked really, really hard, especially when we were so young,” she continued. “Then he walked by his bag, not waiting for his parent to walk to practice by himself, which I think is the part that’s got him here today,” said the 2022 Rookie winner, admiring Kim’s dedication towards his golf life.

Speaking of dedication, Thitikul’s own amateur highlights are a testament to her incredible talent and hard work. At 14 years, four months, and 19 days old, “she became the youngest winner on the European Tour,” as pointed out by Jeeno Thitikul’s PGA Tour pro partner. Thitikul’s amateur wins are a laundry list of impressive achievements.

She claimed the 2016 Singha Thailand Junior World Championship, the 2017 Taiwan Amateur Championship, the 2018 Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific, the 2018 & 2019 World Junior Girls Championship, and the 2019 Thailand Ladies Amateur Open. As the Grant Thornton Invitational heats up, the competition is expected to be fierce. But with Kim and Thitikul’s combined talent, momentum, and partnership, they’re undoubtedly the team to beat. Their chemistry and trust in each other’s abilities make them a force to be reckoned with on the course. But they won’t be without challengers!

Which four teams are the other major contenders for the challenge?

The final event of the 2024 season presents more hurdles to test Kim and Thitikul’s compatibility on the course, despite their respectful and well-coordinated bond around the greens. Take Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson, for instance. An excellent pair that has continually proved their abilities and passion for the sport. Conners’ excellent finishes in his last two events, which include a tie for seventh and sixth place, make him a player to watch. Henderson, however, has demonstrated her worth with a tie for eighth place in the CME Group Tour Championship.

Lexi Thompson and Rickie Fowler are another team to watch, with Thompson’s great record and Fowler’s experience making them a fascinating combination. And of course, the Grant Thornton Invitational is incomplete without mentioning the reigning champions, Jason Day and Lydia Ko. Then there’s World No. 1 Nelly Korda and Daniel Berger.

As the event begins, it’s evident that Tom Kim and Jeeno Thitikul will have tough competition from a great field. Will they be able to break Lydia Ko’s 2023 record and win the title? Well, we may not know about you, but Kim is definitely counting on the CME Group Tour Champion, as he says, “I’m definitely piggybacking off of her this week.”