“Last week in Dallas, I was worried if I would be able to play this week. But I think that was the point, that I’m not thinking too much expecting things. I was just like, I’ll be able to play. That’s really good enough.”

English pair Lottie Woad and Charley Hull finished on 11 under.

Thitikul had started the day six shots clear but saw her lead cut to two with compatriot Pajaree, the last qualifier in the 60-player field, making birdies on the first three holes as well as the sixth and seventh.

However, the leader recovered in the $11m (£8.4m) event with an important birdie on the back nine to improve her advantage to five shots.

Pajaree then made bogey at the par-three 12th and her rival birdied the 13th to reach 25-under.

Birdies at 16 and 17 followed for Pajaree, but Thitikul sealed her success with a birdie on the 18th.