China’s Yin wins maiden major at Women’s PGA Championship

Last updated on June 29th, 2023 at 04:33 pm

Yin Ruoning, a famous Chinese professional golfer who plays in the U.S.-based LPGA Tour, won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Sunday at Baltusrol Golf Club, a private 36-hole golf club located in Springfield, New Jersey, in the eastern United States.

Twenty-year-old Yin Ruoning birdied the 72nd hole to post a bogey-free 67, finishing at 8-under 276. With this victory, she claimed her first major title. 

Yuka Saso, a Philippine-born Japanese professional golfer, finished one stroke back in second after a bogey on the par-three sixteenth. 

Yin from China reached the green in three and sank a birdie putt from 10 feet to break a tie with Japanese Saso at 7 under, becoming the second Chinese woman to win a golf major after Shanshan Feng, a Chinese former professional golfer who previously played on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour. 

Yin played against Japanese Saso, Jenny Shin of South Korea and her friend Lin Xiyu of China to claim the maiden major. Yin reportedly said, “I saw Yuka make an incredible birdie here and I knew I had to make birdie at this hole to win the championship.”

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Yin is ranked at no.25 in the world. She is one of the most famous Chinese professional golfers. The DIO Implant LA Open is her major win this year.

On Sunday, Yin started three strokes behind Leona Maguire of Ireland, whose final-round 74 allowed other competitors to make a charge. Prior to making back-to-back birdies at holes 13 and 14, Yin  played the first 12 holes with 11 pars and lone birdie at the par-5 seventh. 

Yin became emotional at the trophy ceremony. She thanked her parents and friends for supporting her “since day one.” She told reporters, “It’s been incredible. I felt so much support and love from the crowds out here.”