LPGA Tour: China’s Yin makes history with LA Open win, holds off Georgia Hall to triumph in California
- Yin Ruoning becomes just second Chinese winner on Tour after Shanshan Feng
- Hall had opportunity to take tournament to a play-off, but missed 5-foot putt for birdie
Yin Ruoning became just the second Chinese winner in LPGA Tour history on Sunday, holding off Georgia Hall in the DIO Implant LA Open.
The 20-year-old Yin closed with an eventful one-under-par 70 for a one-shot victory over Hall, the English player whose 5-foot birdie try on the 18th to force a play-off slid by the right side.
Recently retired Shanshan Feng is the other only other Chinese champion, winning 10 times on the LPGA Tour.
“That means a lot, not just for me, also for China,” Yin said. “Shanshan is always my goal here, and I think she got 10 tour wins here, and, yeah, it’s just my first one. She’s definitely the person I look up to.”
Yin finished at 15-under at Palos Verdes Golf Club, making six birdies and five bogeys in the final round in her 20th tour start.
She had a nine-hole stretch without a par, making a birdie on No 2, three straight bogeys, four straight birdies and a bogey on 10. After dropping a stroke on 13, she birdied 14 and parred the final four.
“I fought so hard today,” Yin said. “I just made three bogies in a row on the front nine. I’m so happy that I fought back.”
Hall closed with a 67, making four birdies in a bogey-free round. She also was second last week in Arizona, losing a play-off to Celine Boutier.
“I was really happy just to be in this position on the weekend, especially my nine under yesterday,” Hall said. “Just really proud of myself again. Just really gutted not to at least get to another play-off. But a bogey-free round on the final day in tough conditions out there, so just on to the next one.”
Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand and Kim Hyo-joo of South Korea tied for third at 12 under, with Tavatanakit shooting 65 and Kim 71.
