The Greatness of Jeeno Thitikul, Tour Changes, Top 100 Courses: Tour Confidential

check in weekly Our writers and editors provide unfiltered opinions as they analyze the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting: @golf_com. This week, we discuss Jeeno Thitikul, Craig Kessler, changes to the PGA Tour, and more.

1. World No. 1 Gino Titicul Won the CME Group Tour ChampionshipIt was her third win of the season, which sealed LPGA Player of the Year honors and set the record for the lowest single-season score in LPGA history (her 68.681 surpassed Annika Sorenstam’s 68.696 in 2002). At just 22 years old, does he get the credit he deserves this season?

Nick Piastowski, Senior Editor (@nickpia): If we ask this question, it should indicate how much work lies ahead of new Commissioner Craig Kessler. Because average – average! — 68 is pretty good. That said, it speaks to the depth of this year’s LPGA. I’ll definitely be interested to see what Thitikul does next year. Nothing seems to be slowing her down, and some majors might be next.

Josh Schrock, News Editor@Schrock_And_Awe): I think it went unnoticed because she only won three times. We might be talking about this more if she hadn’t lost to Kroger in four putts and got bumped by Grace Kim at Evian. Nick makes a good point about the task ahead of Craig Kessler, though. There’s a lot of talk in Naples this week about the LPGA’s “cultivating stars.” Gino’s talent is undeniable. The LPGA needs to make sure more people know about her.

Alan Bastable, Executive Editor (@alan_bastable): Compounding all of these obstacles Thitikul faces is that her incredible season comes on the heels of Nelly’s seven-win 2024 campaign. How do you understand this? It’s like being on the podium after Churchill, or on stage after Springsteen’s show. Behavior that is difficult to follow. I think Gino didn’t know she broke Sorenstam’s scoring record, which is telling. Showing you she’s focused on the only thing that really matters: winning championships. As Nick puts it, Gino’s next mission: add some professionalism to her resume

Zephyr Melton, Associate Game Improvement Editor (@zephyrmelton): Incredible consistency with such a low stroke average, but the win totals are a bit light. Annika is coming off a record year with 11(!) wins, and while the depth of competition is much better now, it feels like Jeeno still has some meat left. You have to win trophies to gain mainstream attention.

2. Craig Kessler has been LPGA commissioner for less than a year, but has already made some big moves for the league. Just recently, he helped forge a stronger partnership with Saudi Golf Club and announced in the past few days that starting next year, every round of LPGA play and championships will be on live tv How would you rate what Kessler has done so far and what is his biggest challenge in 2026?

Piastovsky: Kessler had already set the table. Now he just had to get people to sit down. (Hey, it’s Thanksgiving week.) TV deals can’t be emphasized enough—exposure is key. But the job now is to give the audience a reason to watch. Interestingly, this is pretty much the same issue the PGA Tour faces – both are struggling with the profit game. But if you tell a story well—whether it’s the game itself, the rivalry, or the personality—people will stick around. The LPGA product is a very good product.

Schrock: He has served as commissioner for 120 days and has begun work immediately. This broadcast agreement is of great significance to the LPGA. If they’re going to break through, people have to be able to watch the show live and be able to follow along when they can’t watch the show. His biggest challenge is finding a way to elevate women’s golf to a wider audience and develop the stars to do so. I think it starts with one or more dominant stars winning, and winning a lot, to draw eyeballs that the LPGA doesn’t normally get. Kessler can’t get Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, Lydia Ko or anyone else to win 10 times, but it will help! Kessler praised Korda and Hull for pushing boundaries and becoming cultural figures. The LPGA certainly needs more of this, but if they want people who don’t watch to watch, they need one or more transcendent stars to do their part within the ropes.

Bastable: Yes, Josh, it’s clear that Kessler wants more than just talent – he wants talent who is willing to put in the extra time off the field to help amplify everything that happens on it. Televising every round of every event is a huge thing (even if CNBC isn’t quite NBC), and I’m especially excited about the efforts being made to improve the broadcast itself, with more cameras and better storytelling. As always, the biggest challenge will be finding better ways to bridge the divide between fans and players. Fans need to feel like they really know the players. This is how you increase engagement, loyalty, and viewership.

Melton: I’m impressed with what he’s done so far, but there’s still a long way to go. It needs more air time to attract new fans.

3. Sami Valimaki wins The RSM Classic is the PGA Tour’s fall series finale. We now know the top 100 players to earn PGA Tour cards for next season (as well as players 101-150 to earn conditional status). This is the first time the tour has reduced the number of cards from 125 to 100. Now that you know how it’s changing (and who’s in and who’s not), what are your thoughts on the change?

Piastovsky: Can I say I still want to wait? I think we need to see how a smaller field and fewer cards play out. Would we like to highlight the bigger names that are now possible? Or will we be robbed of some unknown players? Sunday’s event was an exciting one, with players fighting to get into the top 100 – of course, the window for 100 is narrower than 125, so some talented players are vying for the spot.

Schrock: I like it trimmed to 100 and would honestly like to see it trimmed a little more. This leaves the fall season with real stakes, but I think the PGA Tour needs to continue to adjust it so that zero exempt players can play and the fall season is only for those who actually play for their jobs.

Piastovsky: OMG I love Josh’s idea.

Bastable: As a fan/spectator experience, I’m not sure if these players are competing for 125 spots or 75 spots. The problem is, there’s something crucial: the players’ livelihoods. Plus, whether you like the reduction or not, you’d better get used to it, because that’s where the tour is going: fewer cards, smaller venues, and most likely, fewer events. It all fits in with Commish Rolapp’s plan for scarcity: leaving fans wanting more.

Melton: I like the idea of ​​developing underperforming players. If you don’t play well, you shouldn’t be guaranteed a place to play. Golf is the only sport that allows you to surpass what you achieved even ten years ago. In professional golf, we need a little more of a “what have you done for me lately” mentality.

4. GOLF releases latest rankings Top 100 Courses in the Worldheld every two years, celebrates the world’s greatest design. Pine Valley leads the way again, with 48 U.S. courses on the list. What did you take away from this list?

Piastovsky: The pros broke the 56th course on the list at the Ryder Cup. joke. Sort of like. 52 global courses and 48 US courses – that’s a good split. But it did confirm that I wanted to play golf all day long on the Lofoten Links. Or watch the Northern Lights after taking a spin. Or both. [Emails editor, waits for response to stay a year in Norway.]

Schrock: There is a wide variety of styles, locations and designs. There are many great golf courses. From Lake Bluff (Shoreacres), IL to Te Arrai, New Zealand to the Old Course. I have to go out for a walk.

Bastable: I was shocked – shocked! — saw Pine Valley take the top spot once again. (I’m kidding. I’m not.) As with these lists, we’re not seeing a ton of turnover, so I’m most interested in which courses made the biggest leaps. This time, the honor goes to Shanquin Bay (up 31 spots to 64th); Nick’s beloved Lofoten Links (up 22 spots to 66th); and Lido (up 20 spots to 48th). These three are now officially on my bucket list. Plus, how about newcomer Childress Hall making her debut at age 73? Talk about Rookie of the Year.

Melton: My takeaway? I’m glad I’ve played 10 of these games, but I’d love to check out the other 90 games on the list. Maybe one day…

5. While most readers will probably never receive an invitation to Augusta National or Shinnecock Hills, more than half of the courses on the list welcome outdoor play. Based on your experience, what accessible bucket list destinations would you most recommend to our readers?

Piastovsky: I’ll put on my Wisconsin native hat here and say the entire Sand Valley experience was great. Try landing on Lido Island. Try playing all other games. The whole complex is great.

Schrock: Nick is a native and so am I. Just go to every goal in Bandon. You won’t be disappointed.

Bastable: Come on, gentlemen, you all know that the best public travel requires a passport. Spend four or five days on any coastline in the UK and Ireland and you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the sport.

Melton: I always come back from a trip to Pinehurst with a smile on my face. No. 2 may be the crown jewel, but along with other gems like No. 4 and No. 10, as well as cradles, it has a rich lineup.

6. Black Friday is almost here! Please tell our dear readers a golf item that you love that you think they will love too. (If they’re lucky, it’ll be for sale somewhere.)

Piastovsky: Deep down, the answer is my health, which I will write more about sometime in the near future. But if you’re looking for ultimate comfort, invest in the Radmor Higgins 2.0 Hoodie. I’ve bought three of them in the past few years. Best sweatshirt I’ve ever owned.

Schrock: I’ll also go the hoodie route (aren’t we an exciting team?) and recommend the Puma Cloudspun Golf Hoodie. It’s the most comfortable thing I own.

Bastable: This is a bit of a cop-out since I don’t yet own the items I recommend, but I do know that I desperately need a garage organizer to store all of my golf stuff. Currently, I have clubs, shoes, balls, and various other golf items scattered around my garage, like solo cups and pizza boxes from after frat parties. I need a solution (maybe you do too?) and plan to find one soon!

Melton: Grooveit Mini Club Brush! Makes a great stocking stuffer and a great addition to anyone’s golf bag.

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