Find out why this former No. 1 changed her name midway through LPGA season

It’s not often that LPGA players make a name change midseason, especially a first name. But former World No. 1 Atthaya Thitikul has decided to go by her nickname “Jeeno” going forward.

The 21-year-old, who took a share of the early lead at the 2024 FM Championship after an opening 3-under 69, said she thought “Jeeno” would be easier for people to remember.

“I think it’s unique and easier than Atthaya,” said Thitikul, a three-time winner on the LPGA.

Thitikul said her mother originally gave her the nickname “Jeen,” which roughly translates to “Chinese people” in Thai. Everyone in Thailand has a nickname, she explained, because names are traditionally long.

“Jeen is, like, my mom give it to me because she is 100 percent Thai,” Thitikul once explained, “but my dad is Chinese for a little bit. She’s, like, oh, I give it for, like, your father is going to like it.”

It was her coach who added the “o.”