Mental endurance drives Atthaya ‘ Jeeno ‘ Thitikul to LPGA hegemony
Only a few players rise to prominence as quickly and wonderfully as Atthaya” Jeeno” Thitikul. From a young woman in Ratchaburi to becoming the nation’s No. 1 female athlete, her excursion is a testament to ability, tenacity and self-belief.
At only 21, she has now made past, setting data to inspire generations. However, beyond the accolades, Atthaya carries a strong message– real success comes from carving one’s unique path.
In honouring Atthaya as one of the Ladies of the Year 2025, the Bangkok Post celebrates not just her remarkable achievements but even her endurance, intelligence and devotion to inspiring others. As she continues to crack barriers in women’s sport, one factor is particular– this is only the beginning of an amazing profession.
Unlike some sport geniuses, Atthaya did not come from a sports family. It was her father who first introduced her to the game, inspired by golfer traditions like Tiger Woods. At six years old, she chose sport over sport after watching movies online. Her love grew fast, and by 14, she had stunned the world by winning the 2017 Women German Thailand Championship, becoming the youngest-ever success of a professional game.
This historic win marked the beginning of a rapid increase. She went on to win many professional titles, including two silver medals at the 2018 Eastern Games and the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship.
In 2020, she turned expert, quickly dominating the Ladies Continental Tour with numerous wins in 2021. The next year, she secured her second LPGA Tour success and, at just 19, reached the earth No. 1 position– the second-youngest player in history to achieve that achievement.
Despite her quick achievement, Atthaya remains sincere and grounded. She encourages fresh golfers never to idolise her way very carefully. ” Every individual has their own path”, she said. ” I hear some amateur golfers say they want to be like Atthaya, but that isn’t important. Nobody can be precisely like someone else”.
Atthaya acknowledges that reaching the top comes with tremendous force. She has learned to manage the highs and lows by focusing on what she can handle. ” There are excellent times and bad times, and I can only do my best in each time”, she explained.
Among her most cherished tournaments, her second LPGA get stands out– not just for the success, but for the way she overcame a considerable deficit in the last round. But, the match she values most is one she lost– the 2021 Honda LPGA Thailand. That fight, she said, forced her to reflect, develop her view, and finally made her stronger.
Her demanding training plan, which usually includes eight to 10 periods of exercise per day, reflects her determination. But she has come to understand that emotional power is just as important as physical planning.
” At the professional level, sports ‘ skills does not vary that much. What usually makes a difference is their state of mind”, explained the athlete.
Atthaya then prioritises quality over quantity in her education, understanding that equilibrium is essential. ” Working painful is definitely a key to success, but working smart is likewise necessary”, she said. She even credits her support group– her home, manager, coach and caddy– for standing by her through every challenge.
As Thailand’s first Rolex Testimonee, Atthaya hopes to inspire more Thai and Asian golfers to compete internationally. She believes many young players have the talent to succeed abroad but hesitate due to fear of the unknown.
” Some find it scary to be away from home for a whole year. They see foreign athletes as strong but don’t view themselves the same way”, she said.
” I want to show them that we have the potential and talent to compete with Americans or Europeans. We, especially women golfers, are strong”.
Looking ahead, Atthaya dreams of winning the 2025 Honda LPGA Thailand, a tournament that holds deep personal significance. In the long run, she has her sights set on another major championship and an Olympic medal– whether that takes one year or several.
Her advice to young athletes is simple yet profound: stay true to yourself and don’t lose sight of what truly matters.
” We can’t let other people decide what is right or wrong for us– that comes from their perspective”, said Jeeno. ” As long as we accomplish what we set out to do, that’s enough”.
Atthaya ‘ Jeeno’ ThitikulGolfer