How Did One Pro Secure A $1 Million Payday Without Playing The Penultimate LPGA Tour Event?
Jeeno Thitikul may not have featured at The Annika Driven by Gainbridge, but the former World No.1 secured a $1 million payday via the Aon Risk Reward Challenge

There's many ways that professionals can secure paychecks in the modern era and, at The Annika Driven By Gainbridge At Pelican, one professional secured a $1 million payday without playing!
Jeeno Thitikul, formerly Atthaya Thitikul, has enjoyed a steady season, with the former World No.1 claiming victory at the Dow Championship alongside Ruoning Yin. However, her biggest payday of the year, so far, came in a tournament that she didn't even play in...
Opting to skip the The Annika Driven By Gainbridge At Pelican, an event that was won by World No.1 Nelly Korda, Thitikul claimed the $1 million Aon Risk Reward first prize, finishing 0.077 ahead of South Korea's Haeran Ryu.
For those asking, the Aon Risk Reward Challenge is a season-long competition that is based on the best two scores from each selected hole in that tournament. Essentially one hole is selected for each event and, from there, the winners are decided via the best average score to par at the end of the regular season.
In the men's game, Tyrrell Hatton won the 2022-2023 PGA Tour Aon Risk Reward Challenge, whilst Angel Yin secured the title last year in the LPGA standings.
A post shared by Golf Monthly (@golfmonthly)
A photo posted by on
As mentioned, Thitikul hasn't featured since the Maybank Championship in October but, with an average of -0.900 under-par on the chosen holes, the 21-year-old had done enough to win the $1 million first prize.
Away from the Aon Risk Reward, it's Nelly Korda who leads comfortably from the likes of Haeran Ryu and Lydia Ko in the Race to CME Globe standings, with the World No.1 securing another LPGA Tour title of 2024 at The Annika Driven By Gainbridge At Pelican. Carding a final round 67, Korda held off the likes of Charley Hull for a decisive seventh win of 2024.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Jake Knapp Shoots Amazing 59 At Cognizant Classic
Jake Knapp shot the 15th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history with a stunning 59 in the opening round of the Cognizant Classic
By Paul Higham Published
-
I Used To Be Against Dogs On The Golf Course, But I've Changed My Mind. Here’s Why...
The debate around whether dogs should be allowed on the golf course will always split opinion, but our furry friends have won me over
By Michael Weston Published
-
Who Are The Best Golfers Under The Age Of 25?
It's no secret that the talent pool of golf is getting younger and younger. So, in this piece, we take you through the best players under the age of 25
By Matt Cradock Published
-
HSBC Women’s World Championship Prize Money Payout 2025
The largest purse of the LPGA Tour season so far is on offer as some of the world’s best players compete at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Anna Nordqvist Announced As 2026 European Solheim Cup Captain
After two stints as vice-captain, Nordqvist is set to step up the captaincy role for 2026, with the team event taking place at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Angel Yin Hangs On For Second LPGA Tour Title Despite Sponsor Invite's Closing 61
The American narrowly claimed the Honda LPGA Thailand prize ahead of Japan's Akie Iwai - who almost snatched victory away via an outstanding 11-under 61
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'It Is Very Frustrating How Far Behind The PGA Tour We Are' - LPGA Unveils Own Version Of PGA Tour U As College Coach Reveals Frustration Among NCAA Ranks Over Lack Of Opportunities
Justin Silverstein, the women's golf team head coach at the University of Southern California, says coaches throughout the NCAA system have long been frustrated at a lack of LPGA Tour and Epson Tour opportunities for their athletes
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Lydia Ko Celebrates Three Olympic Medals With Special Tattoo
The New Zealander, who won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, has unveiled her latest tattoo, which references all three of her medals at the Games
By Mike Hall Published
-
'It Couldn't Be More Different' - The Chase For Distance Is Almost Exclusive To Men's Golf, But One Leading College Coach We Spoke To Says A Simple Change Could Help Women Join In
University of Southern California women's golf head coach, Justin Silverstein shares why female players generally aren't chasing distance like their male peers
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LPGA Tour Star Rose Zhang Becomes TGL Investor
The LPGA Tour star is the newest name in the interactive league, with Zhang joining The Bay Golf Club's ownership group alongside the likes of Steph Curry
By Matt Cradock Published