In a nail-biting finish at the Dow Championship, Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand drained a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole, propelling her and Ruoning Yin of China to victory. The ‘Jin and Ronic’ duo, as they affectionately call themselves, played a splendid round of 8-under 62 in the four-ball format.
The day was filled with tension and excitement as Thitikul and Yin led by two on the back nine. Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho, however, were hot on their heels. Ewing’s remarkable birdies on the 14th and 15th holes brought them neck and neck. Ewing even managed a tough chip to save par on the 16th, keeping the pressure on.
Ahead of them, Thitikul hit an impressive tee shot on the par-3 18th hole, landing just 12 feet behind the cup. The stage was set, and Thitikul didn’t disappoint. Her birdie putt was perfect, ensuring their lead and leaving them all smiles as they made their way to the clubhouse.
“I was so nervous,” Thitikul admitted. “I knew this putt was for both of us. I wanted to make it so bad.” Yin echoed the sentiment, saying, “We just had a lot of fun. We keep each other accountable. For that [winning] putt, I had a feeling she’s going to make it. Just walk in.” Yin then turned to Thitikul and added with a grin, “Good job.”
Meanwhile, Ewing and Kupcho faced their own challenges. Kupcho struggled with her shots, leaving Ewing to carry the team with her consistent play. Knowing they needed a birdie on the final hole, Kupcho’s shot fell short, barely escaping the water. Her chip left Ewing with a daunting 25-foot putt to force a playoff. It missed, settling for par and a 64.
“We got off to a slow start, but we hung in there. It wasn’t easy,” Ewing reflected. “I think in these tournaments, if you get to Hole 18 and you have a chance to win the golf tournament or force a playoff, that’s all you ask for.”
Although Ewing and Kupcho have been Solheim Cup teammates, this was their first pairing. “It was a fun week with Jen, and it’s hopefully something we can do again at the Solheim,” Ewing remarked. Kupcho, who won the Dow Championship with Lizette Salas two years ago, could only agree.
This victory was monumental for Thitikul and Yin as it marked their third career LPGA titles. Each player took home $366,082, pushing Yin’s earnings for the year over $1 million. The win was particularly sweet for Yin, as it was her first official LPGA victory since last year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Other notable pairs also made their mark. Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Nicole Broch Estrup of Denmark finished strong with a 63, tying for third place with South Korea’s Haeji Kang and In Kyung Kim, who shot a 65. Lexi Thompson and Brooke Henderson, despite a commendable effort, ended up tied for eighth after starting the final round with 14 teams ahead of them.
The Dow Championship remains the only official team event on the LPGA Tour, and this year’s excitement proved why it’s a favorite. Thitikul and Yin’s victory showcased their teamwork and resilience under pressure, making for a truly memorable tournament.
Source: Espn
