In the unforgiving wind and heat of Frisco, Texas, the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship began with a round that tested the field’s mental and physical endurance—yet rising star Atthaya Thitikul managed to rise above the gusts and grind.
The Thai sensation and world No. 2 posted a resilient 4-under 68 on Thursday morning at Fields Ranch East, navigating the Gil Hanse-designed track with finesse, despite some statistical oddities in her ball-striking performance. Her score earned her the early clubhouse lead and reinforced her readiness to claim what has eluded her thus far: a major championship title.
Thriving Amid Turbulence
While Thitikul's steady ascent through the ranks of women’s golf has often been attributed to her elite ball-striking, Thursday’s round flipped the script. She ranked outside the top 80 in strokes gained: approach and was well over 100th in strokes gained: off the tee, according to KPMG Performance Insights. However, her putter was nothing short of electric—gaining over six strokes on the field and rolling in nearly 200 feet of putts. In major championship golf, where every shot carries added weight, Thitikul’s touch on the greens was a defining factor.
The 21-year-old's round wasn’t without adversity. A double bogey on the par-4 5th could’ve derailed her momentum, but Thitikul bounced back with three straight birdies to close the front nine. Her composure and confidence shone on the back, where she added three more birdies—including a closing gain on the par-4 17th.
“If the wind changes, it becomes a totally different golf course,” Thitikul reflected.
“You have to be on the fairways and greens just to have a real chance. But the putter was great today—and that kept me in it.”
Poised for a Breakthrough
Thitikul’s consistency in 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable. With a win on both the LPGA and Ladies European Tour circuits already, plus six top-10 finishes, she’s solidified her place among the game’s elite. Should she hoist the trophy this week, and if Nelly Korda finishes tied for 11th or worse, Thitikul will ascend to the top of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Her performance Thursday showed exactly why she’s in that conversation. While others battled the wind and wilted, she leaned into her mental toughness and scored where it counted.
Challengers Within Reach
Australia’s Minjee Lee also threatened the lead early, sitting tied with Thitikul at 4-under until a misstep on the final hole dropped her to 3-under. A short approach found the greenside bunker, and she couldn’t save par. Still, her round was a strong statement in tough conditions.
Hae Ran Ryu posted a 2-under 70 and echoed many players’ sentiments about the course's difficulty. Known for her exceptional ball-striking, Ryu adopted a conservative strategy, aiming for fairways and greens to avoid disaster.
“This course is too hard to make some birdies,” she said. “Today, I just wanted to make easy pars.”
Korda’s Grit and Zhang’s Caution
World No. 1 Nelly Korda opened with an even-par 72—a solid start considering she’s managing a neck injury sustained earlier in the week. While discomfort persists at night, she’s able to play pain-free thanks to tape and treatment. Korda appeared optimistic after her round, noting the impact of the heat and wind but affirming that even par was “a good start.”
Rose Zhang, one of the brightest young stars in the women’s game, also signed for a 72. Her takeaway? Fairways are everything this week.
“It’s so hard to estimate where the ball is going out of the rough,” she said. “Sometimes it doesn’t even come out.”
Wind as the Unseen Opponent
If Thursday’s wind was challenging, the forecast suggests more is on the way. Fields Ranch East, a layout already demanding in its precision, becomes exponentially more difficult in swirling gusts. Players who excel at controlling trajectory and adapting their strategy will be the ones to watch.
The first round underscored the importance of resilience, putting, and course management. With 54 holes remaining, the leaderboard is far from settled—but Thitikul has positioned herself perfectly for a run at history.
The Road Ahead
With three rounds to play and weather likely to remain a factor, the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship promises a test of endurance and execution. Can Thitikul continue to roll the rock with precision? Will Korda overcome physical limitations and mount a charge? Or will another contender emerge from the shadows?
One thing is certain: Fields Ranch East isn’t giving anything away easily—and that’s exactly what makes this major worth watching.
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