Thitikul Defends Mizuho Americas Open Title

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand defended her Mizuho Americas Open title on Sunday, firing a final-round 3-under-par 69 at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey, to win by four shots over China's Ruoning Yin and claim her ninth career LPGA Tour victory.

Thitikul entered the day with a two-shot lead after posting 10-under 216 through three rounds on the demanding layout, which featured windy conditions, firm greens and contoured challenges. She maintained control amid pressure from challengers, finishing the tournament at 13-under par. Yin, starting four shots back, mounted a strong rally with a 69 of her own to end alone in second at 9-under.

The decisive moment came on the par-3 16th hole, where Thitikul drained a birdie while Yin bogeyed, creating a two-shot swing that extended the Thai's advantage to three. Thitikul sealed the victory with another birdie on the 18th, converting a long putt after Yin parred the same hole following a missed birdie attempt.

Celine Boutier of France, Thitikul's playing partner in the final group and the runner-up a year earlier at Liberty National, faltered early with three bogeys and no birdies on the front nine en route to a 75,...