A birdie from Atthaya Thitikul on hole 18 of the Midland Country Club in Michigan resolved the Dow Championship of the LPGA Tour. The Thai golfer and the Chinese Ruoning Yin achieved victory after prevailing in an intense duel against the Americans Jennifer Kupcho and Ally Ewing. A single stroke finally separated the two pairs who played the most and best to achieve the win. It is the second time since the tournament was created in 2019 that there is not at least one American golfer on the winning team.
The Dow Championship, the only pairs tournament held on the American circuit calendar, was decided this Sunday under the fourball modality and it was shown again that not only do you have to play well and make birdies, but also the success lies in doing it when it’s time. Thitikul finished a perfect choreography. They made eight birdies, four from Atthaya and another four from Ruoning, but always on different holes, so their final result was eight under par. On the other hand, Ewing and Kupcho signed nine birdies, one more than their rivals, but repeated on three holes, so their result yesterday was six under par. Not only do you have to make birdies, but make them at the right time and combine perfectly.
Indeed, the favourite pair before the final round has won, two Grand Slam winners, a former Number One like Thitikul, and another who will surely end up being one someday. Be that as it may, Ewing and Kupcho do not leave empty-handed. They have left the imprint that they can be a very useful pair for the United States team in the Solheim Cup, which is not exactly abundant in recent years. Ewing is already qualified for the tournament, but Kupcho still has to score points or, failing that, entrust herself to a choice by Stacy Lewis.
Speaking of the Solheim Cup, another pair that has demonstrated their power this week is the one formed by Charlie Hull and Georgia Hall. With the permission of Celine Boutier, who asks for Hall in each edition of the Solheim, the truth is that the English women have had a great week and have shown that they are a guarantee if needed for the confrontation against the United States. They finished in fifth position with a total of -18, four strokes behind the winners. Their performance in fourball has been especially good.
Another pair that has also asked for a minute of attention from Suzann Pettersen is the Danish one formed by Nicole Broch Estrup and Nanna Koerstz Madsen. They finished in third position with two rounds of fourballs where they have accumulated -17. Spectacular. The problem with the Nordics is that it is not easy to enter a team that has proven to be very winning in recent years. However, they certainly make it clear that there is depth in Europe.
