Jeeno Thitikul challenges golf fans at AIG Women’s Open: “You need to see how good we are...”

Jeeno Thitikul believes golf fans are yet to fully appreciate just how good the women’s game has become, calling on supporters to recognise the quality and skill on display ahead of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The World No. 2 delivered a passionate message during her pre-tournament press conference, highlighting the improvements across women’s golf and insisting that players deserve greater recognition for their ability.

“I think all the fans need to see how good we are compared to the men, too,” said Thitikul, who is still seeking a first career major title despite winning nine times on the LPGA. 

“When I played with Tom Kim, he said, ‘You guys hit it straighter than the men.’ I was like, ‘Definitely, yes.’

“I feel like it’s grown and the prize money has definitely increased, which is what we are really looking forward to. Hopefully, more fans will watch us play, see how straight we hit it and how smooth our swings are.”

Thitikul arrives at Royal Lytham & St Annes as one of the leading figures in the women’s game, having twice reached No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

The Thai star enjoyed a remarkable 2025 season, claiming the Rolex Player of the Year award and Vare Trophy, before adding further LPGA Tour victories at the Honda LPGA Thailand and Mizuho Americas Open in 2026. 

She now has nine LPGA Tour titles and sits second in the world rankings behind runaway leader Nelly Korda, who has won four times already in 2026 including two majors. 

Thitikul, 23, also has a special connection with this week’s venue after making history at Royal Lytham as a 15-year-old amateur in 2018.

Thitikul made the cut at the AIG Women’s Open that year and won the Smyth Salver as the leading amateur, an achievement she described as one of the proudest moments of her young career.

“When I came here to Royal Lytham, I was lucky enough to make the cut,” she said. “I think I finished last, but I felt like I had won because I was the only amateur who made the cut.

“It’s just a really great memory for me as a young kid, and to be able to come back here as a professional is really different, too.”

The landmark 50th staging of the AIG Women’s Open takes place from Thursday to Sunday, with 144 of the world’s best players competing for a record $10 million (£7.5m) prize fund.

Thitikul also praised the continued investment in women’s golf, particularly through AIG’s support of the championship and opportunities created for emerging players.

“After AIG stepped up to be our title sponsor, there have been more opportunities for European amateurs to come and play with all the professionals,” she said. “I just love to see how AIG is developing women’s golf in Europe, too.”

However, the Thai star admitted the current major championship schedule has created a demanding stretch for players, with the biggest events arriving in quick succession.

“I think the schedule this year has felt like back-to-back-to-back majors every week,” she said. “If you’re on a good run, you might have a good chance every week that you play. I feel like if we could spread it out a little bit between the majors, it would be better for the fans and all the players.”

With some of the strongest competition in women’s golf now pushing standards higher than ever, Thitikul believes the depth of talent on Tour is helping everyone improve.

“To have such a high level of competition, not just with Nelly but with all the players on Tour, is really challenging me every week,” she said. “I can’t stop improving my game.”

Royal Lytham & St Annes will host the AIG Women’s Open for the sixth time, adding another chapter to a venue history that includes 11 Open Championships, two Ryder Cups and numerous major amateur events.

The 50th anniversary edition of the championship will also feature more than 34 hours of linear television coverage across four days, while children under 16 can attend free of charge through The R&A’s Kids Go Free programme when accompanied by a paying adult.

For Thitikul, the return to Lancashire represents more than another major championship. It is a chance to showcase how far women’s golf has travelled since she first arrived as a teenage amateur — and to prove why the modern women’s game deserves to be watched and celebrated.