In a dramatic finale at TPC Boston, Chinese rookie Miranda Wang etched her name into golfing history by capturing her first LPGA title at the FM Championship on Sunday, September 1, 2025. The 26-year-old, a former standout at Duke University, held her nerve to edge out Thailand’s top-ranked player, Jeeno Thitikul, by a single stroke in a tension-filled final round. Wang’s triumph, sealed with a clutch birdie on the 17th and a composed par on the 18th, marked her as only the third Chinese player to win an LPGA title, following in the footsteps of legends Feng Shanshan and Yin Ruoning. With a final-round score of two-under-par 70, Wang finished at 20-under 268, claiming the $615,000 top prize and cementing her status as one of the LPGA’s brightest rising stars.
This victory was not just a personal milestone for Wang but a historic moment for Chinese golf. As the seventh rookie to win on the LPGA Tour in 2025 and the 11th first-time winner of the season, Wang’s breakthrough underscored the depth of talent in women’s professional golf. Her performance at TPC Boston, a challenging 6,600-yard layout known for its demanding greens and strategic bunkering, showcased her poise, precision, and putting prowess, particularly under pressure. For Wang, who described the win as “a dream come true,” this triumph is a springboard for what she hopes will be a long and successful career.
A Journey to Stardom
Miranda Wang’s path to LPGA glory has been one of steady progression. Born in Shanghai, Wang honed her skills in China’s burgeoning golf scene before earning a scholarship to Duke University, where she played a pivotal role in the Blue Devils’ 2019 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship victory. Her collegiate career was marked by consistency and a knack for performing in high-stakes moments, qualities that were on full display at the FM Championship.
Entering the tournament ranked 187th in the world, Wang was a relative underdog compared to the likes of Jeeno Thitikul, a world number one with five LPGA titles to her name. Yet, Wang’s confidence in her game, particularly her putting, set the stage for her breakout performance. Reflecting on her mindset, Wang noted, “On the back nine of the first round, I started hitting really good shots. The shots and putts were going so well for me, I felt like this could be my week. I just worked really hard and didn’t give up on that.”
Wang’s belief in her putter proved justified. Throughout the tournament, her flatstick was her most reliable weapon, allowing her to navigate TPC Boston’s slick greens with precision. “I always think the putter is my best club in the bag,” she said post-round. “I also like the other clubs, but I love my putting, so I’m happy to see it work out really well this week.” Her ability to sink crucial putts, particularly in the final round, was the difference-maker in a tightly contested battle with Thitikul.
A Final Round of High Drama
The final round of the FM Championship was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Wang and Thitikul trading blows in a duel that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Wang began the day with a three-shot lead over the field and a four-shot cushion over Thitikul, but the Thai star’s aggressive play quickly closed the gap. Thitikul, fresh off her fifth LPGA title at the Mizuho Americas Open in May, was in scintillating form, birdieing five of the first nine holes to post a front-nine 31 and pile pressure on the rookie leader.
Wang, however, showed remarkable composure for a player in her first year on tour. She opened her round with a birdie on the par-five second, rolling in a 12-foot putt to extend her lead. Another birdie followed on the par-three third, where her pinpoint iron play left her with a tap-in. A bogey on the fifth, caused by a wayward approach that found a greenside bunker, briefly halted her momentum, but Wang responded with a birdie on the ninth to reach the turn at 20-under, maintaining a one-shot advantage over Thitikul.
The back nine was where the drama unfolded. Thitikul, known for her relentless consistency, birdied the par-five 12th to draw level with Wang, igniting hopes of a comeback. The momentum swung decisively in Thitikul’s favor when Wang faltered with a bogey on the 15th, her tee shot finding heavy rough and leading to a missed par putt. Thitikul seized the solo lead, and with just three holes remaining, it seemed the world number one might overpower her less experienced rival.
But Wang, displaying the resilience that defined her collegiate career, refused to wilt. On the par-four 17th, a 405-yard dogleg that demands precision off the tee, Wang hit a textbook drive and followed it with a wedge to six feet. Her birdie putt was pure, dropping into the heart of the cup to reclaim the lead at 20-under. The putt was a defining moment, showcasing Wang’s ability to deliver under pressure and silencing doubters who questioned whether a rookie could hold off a player of Thitikul’s caliber.
The par-five 18th set the stage for a nerve-wracking finish. Thitikul, needing a birdie to force a playoff, played the hole aggressively but could only manage a par after her approach shot settled 20 feet from the pin. Wang, knowing a par would secure the title, played the hole with textbook caution. Her drive found the fairway, and her second shot, a lay-up, left her with a comfortable 100-yard approach. Her third shot spun back to within inches of the hole, leaving a tap-in par that sealed her victory. As the ball dropped, Wang raised her arms in triumph, the weight of the moment sinking in as the crowd roared in appreciation.
Thitikul’s Gallant Effort Falls Short
Jeeno Thitikul’s performance was nothing short of remarkable, even in defeat. Her final-round 67 was a masterclass in aggressive golf, with her front-nine blitz putting her in contention for a sixth LPGA title. However, a costly bogey on the 17th, where her approach shot missed the green and led to a tricky up-and-down, proved decisive. Despite the disappointment, Thitikul remained upbeat, focusing on the positives of her performance.
“I had no idea what other people were doing. I was just trying to do my job the best,” Thitikul said after the round. “I’ll take a positive, especially the final round I had, the front nine I had. I proved to myself I can go low in the final round.” Her ability to go five-under on the front nine demonstrated her potential to dominate, and at just 22 years old, Thitikul remains one of the LPGA’s most formidable talents.
A Historic Moment for Chinese Golf
Wang’s victory places her in elite company as only the third Chinese player to win on the LPGA Tour. Feng Shanshan, a trailblazer for Chinese golf with 10 LPGA titles, including the 2012 LPGA Championship, and Yin Ruoning, a five-time winner and the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship victor, have set a high bar. Wang’s triumph at the FM Championship adds a new chapter to this legacy, signaling the continued rise of Chinese players on the global stage.
At 26, Wang is older than many of her rookie peers, but her journey through the Epson Tour and her collegiate success at Duke have prepared her for the professional stage. Her victory also highlights the LPGA’s growing diversity, with 11 first-time winners in 2025 reflecting the global talent pool in women’s golf. Wang’s win as the seventh rookie victor of the season further underscores the depth of emerging stars, with players like South Korea’s Im Jin-hee, who shot a bogey-free 62 to finish tied for fifth, pushing the established names.
Supporting Cast Shines
While Wang and Thitikul dominated the headlines, the FM Championship featured standout performances from other players. South Korea’s Kim Sei-young, a 12-time LPGA winner, finished third at 17-under 271 with a final-round 70. Her steady play, including three birdies on the back nine, kept her in contention, though she couldn’t close the gap to the leaders. American Andrea Lee, a rising star in her own right, took fourth at 16-under 272, also carding a 70. Lee’s consistent ball-striking and calm demeanor suggest she is nearing her own breakthrough victory.
The performance of the day, however, belonged to Im Jin-hee, whose bogey-free 62 was the lowest round of the tournament. The South Korean’s 10-under score vaulted her into a tie for fifth at 15-under 273 alongside American Rose Zhang, one of the LPGA’s most hyped prospects. Zhang, who has already won twice on tour, struggled with her putter but showed flashes of brilliance with four birdies in her final round of 68.
The Road Ahead for Wang
For Miranda Wang, the FM Championship victory is a life-changing moment. The $615,000 prize boosts her earnings and secures her LPGA status for 2026, while her world ranking is set to soar from 187th. More importantly, the win validates her potential and establishes her as a player to watch. “I hope this is the first of many, and I’ll keep working hard,” Wang said, her eyes already fixed on future goals.
Wang’s next challenge will be maintaining consistency in a highly competitive field. The LPGA Tour’s 2025 season has been defined by parity, with no single player dominating and new faces emerging weekly. Wang’s putting prowess and mental toughness suggest she has the tools to compete at the highest level, but she will need to refine her overall game to contend in majors and against battle-tested veterans like Thitikul, Nelly Korda, and Lydia Ko.
A Bright Future for the LPGA
The FM Championship was a microcosm of the LPGA’s current landscape: a blend of established stars, fearless rookies, and global talent. TPC Boston, with its tree-lined fairways and undulating greens, provided a fitting stage for a tournament that showcased the depth and drama of women’s golf. Wang’s victory, coupled with Thitikul’s spirited challenge and Im’s sensational 62, highlighted the unpredictability and excitement that define the tour.
As the LPGA heads into the next phase of its season, players like Wang will carry the momentum of their breakthroughs, while veterans like Thitikul will look to reassert their dominance. For fans, the FM Championship was a reminder of why women’s golf continues to captivate: it’s a sport where rookies can outshine superstars, where every shot matters, and where stories like Miranda Wang’s inspire the next generation.
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