Miranda Wang Wins Her First LPGA Title
In an exciting day at the FM Championship, Miranda Wang demonstrated her composure by surpassing the number one in women’s golf and securing her first title in the LPGA. With precise shots in the last three holes, Wang signed a card of 70 strokes (-2), obtaining a one-stroke victory over Jeeno Thitikul. Wang became the seventh LPGA rookie to win this year, extending a remarkable streak of no multiple winners in the first 23 tournaments of the year.Thitikul, who had snatched the number one spot from Nelly Korda three weeks earlier, seemed destined to break Wang’s streak. The Thai player got dangerously close, but Wang remained calm. Wang showed nervousness when missing a 3-foot birdie putt on the 12th hole. Then, his shot from the fairway on the 15th hole didn’t reach the green, resulting in a bogey that took him out of the lead. However, Wang showed his determination in the final holes, while Thitikul made mistakes that cost him the victory. Thitikul, after an aggressive drive on the 17th hole, missed her shot and had to fight to save bogey. Wang, for her part, missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole, but then managed an excellent approach on the 17th, leaving the ball 6 feet from the hole and securing the birdie that put her back in the lead. In the final hole, Thitikul fell short of a bunker and her approach shot rolled 20 feet back, achieving par. Wang, for her part, made an approach and achieved two putts to secure par and finish with a total of 20 under par, 268 strokes. Rose Zhang, who played in the final group with Wang, celebrated her becoming the eleventh first-time winner on the LPGA this year. Wang set the tone for her first LPGA title on Thursday, when, after starting on the 10th hole, she made eight birdies in the first nine holes. Her confidence grew with the putter, and she led by three strokes before the final round.I hope this is the first of many, and I will keep working hard. This is a dream come true.
Miranda Wang
Zhang failed to compete, missing birdie opportunities after the turn and then making a double bogey on the 14th hole, which took her out of contention. Sei Young Kim (70) finished third, three strokes behind. Andrea Lee also shot 70 and finished one stroke further back. Zhang had to settle for 72 and tied for fifth place with Jin Hee Im, who had a flawless round of 62 strokes. The LPGA has had 24 winners in 23 tournaments, one of which was a team event, before heading to Cincinnati in two weeks for the Kroger Queen City Championship. Korda, a seven-time winner last year, closed with 75 and tied for 35th place, 14 strokes behind Wang.In the last nine holes of the first round, I started making very good shots. I felt that this could be my week. I worked very hard and didn’t give up.
Miranda Wang
