Miranda Wang, the rookie from China who made her name at Duke and ground her way through the Epson Tour, finally turned years of effort into triumph, holding off World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul to claim her first LPGA title at the FM Championship.
She entered Sunday with a three-shot lead and clung to it most of the way. The 15th hole nearly unraveled her—an errant fairway shot, a rare flash of urgency, and a break from her usual pre-shot routine led to bogey, dropping her a shot behind Thitikul. But Wang steadied herself quickly: she brushed off a missed birdie on 16, then answered with a flawless approach to six feet on 17 and buried the putt to retake the lead. Thitikul, meanwhile, blinked—her chip skidding across the green and setting up a bogey.
“I felt like this could be my week,” Wang said, recalling how her front-nine 29 on Thursday set the tone. “The shots and putts were going so well for me… I just worked really hard and didn’t give up on that.” A composed two-putt par on 18 sealed her 20-under 268 and a $615,000 winner’s check, punctuated by champagne showers from Rose Zhang, her final-round partner and longtime friend.
The win is another step in an impressive journey. Wang helped the Blue Devils capture the 2019 NCAA team title, was the 2022 WAPT Player of the Year, and now joins Shanshan Feng and Ronni Yin as one of China’s LPGA champions—while also becoming the fourth Duke alum to win on tour.
Thitikul, sharp as ever with her irons and putter, finished a shot back at 19 under. Sei Young Kim took solo third, Andrea Lee fourth, and Jin Hee Im tied with Rose Zhang for fifth after a record-tying 10-under 62 on Sunday.
It all underscores the LPGA’s depth this year: 24 winners across 23 events. Wang’s performance adds another, now including 7 rookies.
“Winning on the LPGA has been my dream since I was eight,” Wang said. “I hope this is just the first of many, and I’ll keep pushing myself.” At The FM Championship, her patience, precision, and determination came together beautifully. Here’s to Miranda and her win. A fitting moment in the LPGA’s 75th season--one that keeps finding new ways to thrill.
Round 4 Competition Highlights
Miranda Wang is the 7th rookie to win on LPGA Tour this season.
Miranda Wang had 27 birdies at the FM Championship.
Jeeno Thitikul played her last six holes of final round in +1 with no birdies.
Andrea Lee secures her 5th top-10 finish in her last 11 LPGA starts.
Shout Out
Julia Lopez Ramirez earns praise for scoring eagles on Hole 7 in three straight rounds Friday through Sunday
Ariya Jutanagarn, Marie’s and my personal favorite, nailed an ace on hole 16.
Gear Notes
At the time of writing, there’s nothing significant to report.