Ruoning Yin and the tearful putt: The 34-start drought and an emotional comeback at the FM Championship

Ruoning Yin won the FM Championship at TPC Boston with a four-round total of 71-65-68-70, two shots clear of Hyo Joo Kim. The victory ended a 34-start drought and gave Yin her sixth LPGA title at age 23. The decisive moment came on the 18th hole in the final round, where Yin hit a confident 5-iron from 199 yards to set up a birdie putt. Before tapping in, she broke down in tears. The emotional release reflected the mental struggle she had faced since her 2026 hot streak, when she won three of five events. Her close friend Jeeno Thitikul had won ten LPGA titles, adding pressure. Yin worked on her mindset with her caddie and embraced living outside others' expectations. Although only one round under 70 suggests she ground out the win rather than dominated, the psychological turnaround is significant. The Solheim Cup break now provides time to reset, but form after such an emotional win remains uncertain. This victory is more about mental resilience than technical breakthrough, and golf fans should watch whether Yin can sustain momentum at the Arkansas event in late September.