- Chinese star holds off Hyo Joo Kim by two strokes at TPC Boston to claim first title since 2024
NORTON, Massachusetts: China’s Ruoning Yin ended a 672-day wait for victory by winning the FM Championship at TPC Boston on Sunday, securing her sixth career LPGA Tour title after holding off South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim.
The 23-year-old Chinese star delivered a composed final round in challenging, breezy conditions, carding a 2-under-par 70 to finish two strokes ahead of Kim and return to the winner’s circle for the first time since the 2024 Maybank Championship.
Yin produced a pivotal moment on the par-5 12th, sinking a 25-foot birdie putt to draw level with playing partner Kim and share the lead. She then demonstrated remarkable discipline, making five consecutive pars before closing out the tournament in style with a birdie on the par-5 18th.
“I was really emotional when I was on the 18th green and just felt like all the hard work paid off,” Yin said. “Just really happy how I grinded out there today.”
Composure Under Pressure Delivers the Title
Kim, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour this season, remained within striking distance for much of the final round but struggled to match Yin’s consistency down the closing stretch.
The South Korean carded a 1-under 71 but lost valuable ground with a three-putt bogey on the par-3 16th after missing a nine-foot par attempt. She then missed a seven-foot birdie putt on the 17th, effectively ending her hopes of forcing a late challenge.
“At the end of the day it was Ronni,” Kim said, referring to Yin by her nickname.
Yin’s ability to remain patient and avoid mistakes proved decisive as she navigated the final holes to secure a convincing two-stroke victory.
A Long-Awaited Return to Victory
The triumph marks another significant milestone in Yin’s rapidly developing career.
She won twice during the 2023 season and added three victories in 2024, establishing herself as one of the leading young players on the LPGA Tour. However, her latest success came after a lengthy drought that stretched for 672 days.
“It’s just been so long since my last win,” Yin said. “I know I work hard and also my team, my mom is here. Just everything comes together.”
Her mother was among those supporting her at TPC Boston, making the victory particularly meaningful for the Chinese star.
Yin Heads Home to Celebrate
Yin’s celebrations will be brief, however, as she was scheduled to take a midnight flight back to China.
“I’ll be back home and celebrate with my friend and my family,” Yin said. “I think I’m going to take a good sleep on the plane.”
The victory provides a timely boost for Yin as she continues to establish herself as one of the prominent figures in women’s professional golf.
Corpuz Finishes Third
Alison Corpuz secured third place after producing one of the strongest rounds of the day, shooting a 4-under 68 to finish at 11 under for the tournament.
American Solheim Cup player Rose Zhang also carded a 68 and finished another stroke behind Corpuz, tying for fourth with South Korea’s Sei Young Kim.
Kim had briefly taken a one-stroke lead in the final group after holing out for birdie on the par-3 11th. However, her challenge unravelled over the following three holes as she suffered a double bogey and two additional bogeys. She eventually signed for a 73 and shared fourth place.
Korda Finishes 50th Ahead of Solheim Cup
World No. 1 Nelly Korda finished tied for 50th at 1 over par after a final-round 73.
The FM Championship was the final LPGA Tour event before the Solheim Cup, scheduled for September 11-13 in the Netherlands, where the world’s leading American and European players will compete in the biennial team competition.
European captain Anna Nordqvist concluded her final LPGA Tour event with a tie for 38th after shooting a 1-under 72.
Reflecting on the end of her LPGA career, Nordqvist acknowledged the emotion surrounding the occasion.
“I’m not really sure how to feel,” Nordqvist said. “Nothing ever prepares you for this moment. I’m definitely going to miss it.”
With Yin back among the winners and the Solheim Cup now approaching, the FM Championship provided a fitting conclusion to the LPGA Tour schedule ahead of one of women’s golf’s most anticipated international showdowns.
BY: The Times Union
