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Thai standout Atthaya Thitkul led her and teammate Ruoning Yin to victory in the 2024 Dow Championship on the LPGA Tour with a crucial 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole in an exciting final round.
The duo of Thitikul and Yin, playing in the LPGA's annual two-player team event, entered the final day trailing co-leaders Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho by one shot. But steady play from the Thai-Chinese duo and a pressure-packed birdie from Thitkul on the tournament's closing hole propelled them to a final round 62 and a winning score of 22-under par 258 for the week at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan.
Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand (L) and Ruoning Yin of China kiss the trophies after winning the Dow Championship at Midland Country Club on June 30, 2024 in Midland, Michigan.
(Getty Images)
"I was so nervous," said Thitikul after claiming her third LPGA title. "I knew this putt was for both of us. I wanted to make it so bad."
The victory was the 21-year-old Thitikul's first team title and third LPGA win overall, strengthening her position as the top player in the world. For 21-year-old Yin, it marked her first title since winning last year's KPMG Women's PGA Championship and pushed her seasonal earnings past the $1 million mark.
Ewing and Kupcho held on for solo second place at 21-under after their closing 65, taking home $179,574 each. Behind the winners, several teams tied for third including Nicole Koerstz Madsen/Nanna Broch Estrup, I.K. Kim/Haeji Kang and others.
With their clutch performance, Thitikul and Yin topped the prize money board, claiming $366,082 apiece in a very lucrative payday to kick off the 2025 season. Their playoff success highlighted an exciting final day of competition at the Dow Championship.
Atthaya Thitikul and Ruoning Yin with the winners' check after taking the title at the Dow Championship. (Dylan Buell)
The whole prize money for the 2024 LPGA Dow Championship was $5 million, and the champion took home $750,000. Runner-up took home $465,000, and third place went home with $325,000. The remaining places paid out in decreasing order, with $12,500 going to the 70th place finisher.
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