Trailing by two strokes with just two holes remaining, Jeeno Thitikul knew precisely what was required to secure the most significant prize in women's golf history. And for the second consecutive day, an eagle-birdie finish sealed the deal.

Thitikul clinched the record-breaking $4m purse by winning the CME Group Tour Championship on Sunday. This monumental prize surpasses even the winner's shares from three of the four men's major championships this year.

"Today, standing here with the trophy, it's more than I could have asked for," Thitikul remarked.

Thitikul, who has yet to win a major, shot a seven-under 65 on Sunday, finishing the week at 22 under, one shot ahead of USA's Angel Yin (66). Yin, who held a two-shot lead heading to the 17th tee, ultimately settled for the $1m runner-up check.

Despite missing the start of the season due to a broken leg, Yin expressed no sense of defeat after finishing second and more than doubling her 2024 earnings in just four days. "I'm pretty awesome... I've learned that I just need to believe in myself, and that's what I did," Yin said.

The victory and the substantial check hinged on the 18th hole, with Thitikul and Yin tied at 21 under after a day of back-and-forth competition atop the leaderboard. Both players knew a mistake could cost them $3m.

Both hit the fairway on 18. Thitikul's approach was nearly flawless, stopping about 5ft from the cup. As she approached the green, she wore a broad smile, almost as if she knew what was about to unfold. Yin's birdie putt from around 15ft missed, while Thitikul's was dead center. History was hers.

As for her plans for the cash? "Definitely spend it," Thitikul said. "That's an honest answer, for sure. Definitely going to spend it for a little while."

Thitikul had already secured a $1m bonus this week through the Aon Risk-Reward Challenge, a competition based on how players score on a designated hole each week. In the end, it amounted to a staggering $5m week for the 21-year-old from Thailand.

"All the hard work paid off," Thitikul said.

New Zealand's Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko (63) finished third at 17 under, with nine birdies coming in a 13-hole span. "I'm excited to be able to work hard this offseason and have another great 2025," Ko said.

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