Angel Yin and Jeeno Thitikul are locked in a thrilling battle for the biggest payday in women’s golf, tied at the top heading into Sunday’s final round of the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples.
The prize? A whopping $4 million for the winner.
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Yin looked unstoppable early Saturday, draining putts from everywhere and even chipping in for eagle from 60 feet out on the sixth hole. Her magical touch with the putter continued as she sank three massive birdie putts between 25 and 30 feet.
But Thitikul wasn’t about to let her run away with it.
The young Thai star caught fire on the back nine, posting an incredible 9-under 63 that included a dramatic eagle-birdie finish. She’s now tied with Yin at 15-under par.
“Actually, $1 million is really good enough for me,” Thitikul said with a laugh, referring to the bonus she’d already won this week. “But if I can get more, it’s definitely going to be nice, because my team knows I spend a lot of money shopping.”
Ruoning Yin sits three shots back after birdieing her final two holes for a 66.
Charley Hull and Narin An are hanging around at 11-under, while world-beater Nelly Korda has some work to do. Despite winning four times this year, Korda’s 69 left her six shots behind the leaders.
For Yin, Saturday wasn’t all perfect putts and chip-ins. She had to scramble after some wayward drives, including a remarkable par save from the bushes on 13 where she knocked a 50-yard wedge to 15 feet and, naturally, made the putt.
“I’m scoring still,” Yin said. “Making some mistakes, but saving a bunch, so a lot of positives.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Sunday’s showdown – the $4 million first prize is nearly as much as Korda has earned all year during her seven-win season.
