Thitikul cashes in with a runaway win

THE DAY IN SPORTS

- WIRE REPORTS

JEENO THITIKUL, second from left, took home $4 million for her win Sunday. MARTA LAVANDIER Associated Press

(MARTA LAVANDIER Associated Press)

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand capped off her best year with the biggest cash prize in women’s golf, holding off an early challenge from Pajaree Anannarukarn and closing with a four-under 68 to win the CME Group Tour Championship on Sunday for another $4-million payoff.

Thitikul, who finished at 26-under 262 for a four-shot victory, won for the third time this year on the LPGA Tour, and one last birdie on the final hole at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., gave her the lowest scoring average in tour history.

Thitikul joins Jin Young Ko as the only back-to-back winners of the CME Group Tour Championship.

Sami Valimaki became Finland’s first PGA Tour winner when he closed with a four-under 66 for a one-shot victory in the RSM Classic, the final event of the year, at St. Simons Island, Ga.