Ruoning Yin and Atthaya Thitikul emerged victorious in the Dow Championship, the LPGA’s two-person team event, after forming a pairing eight months prior during a Callaway shoot. The duo sealed their victory with a final four-ball score of 62, narrowly defeating Solheim veterans Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho by one stroke. This win marked the third career title for both Yin and Thitikul, with each claiming their first victories of 2024.
At 21 years old, Thitikul had previously not won since the 2022 Walmart N.W. Arkansas Championship but had a successful 2023 season, earning the Vare Trophy for the best-scoring average on the tour. Yin, also 21, earned her third career win, following a standout sophomore campaign in 2023, which included victories in California and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Despite struggling with a wrist injury that forced her to withdraw from a tournament earlier in the year, Yin decided to skip an upcoming championship to allow for proper healing time.
Ally Ewing continued her strong performance with four consecutive top-5 finishes leading up to the Dow Championship, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Olympics. Meanwhile, Jennifer Kupcho’s runner-up finish at the event placed her in contention for a captain’s pick onto the U.S. Solheim roster, highlighting her recent success on the tour. The 2024 U.S. Solheim roster will be finalized following the AIG Women’s Open in August.
The competition at the Midland Country Club was fierce, with eight teams within four shots of the leaders throughout the event. Thitikul secured the victory for her team with a clutch birdie on the final hole, resulting in a one-shot lead heading into the clubhouse. The duo anxiously watched as their competitors, Kupcho and Ewing, played their final hole, ultimately falling short of forcing a playoff due to a missed putt by Ewing.
The camaraderie between Yin and Thitikul was evident throughout the tournament, with Yin expressing her joy at having her best friend by her side on the course. The positive experience was echoed by Nicole Broch Estrup, who competed in her first LPGA event of the season alongside Danish compatriot Nanna Koerstz Madsen, finishing in third place and potentially improving her status for the following season. Additionally, I.K. Kim’s strong performance, earning her first top-5 finish in five years, showcased her improved status for the season due to being inside the top-40 all-time money list.
In conclusion, Yin and Thitikul’s triumph at the Dow Championship was a testament to their skill and chemistry as a team, overcoming tough competition and showcasing their potential for future success. As the LPGA season progresses, fans can look forward to seeing more exciting performances from these talented players and their competitors on the tour. With the U.S. Solheim roster yet to be finalized, the upcoming events will undoubtedly be filled with suspense and excitement as players vie for coveted spots on the team and continue to push the boundaries of women’s golf.
