China’s Yin claims maiden major at Women’s PGA Championship
- Yin Ruoning finished at 8-under 276 on Sunday at Baltsurol Golf Club, edging Japan’s Yuka Saso by one stroke at the second women’s golf major of the year
- In April, Yin joined Shanshan Feng as the only two Chinese winners in LPGA history when she won the DIO Implant LA Open
Twenty-year-old Yin Ruoning of China birdied the 72nd hole to post a bogey-free 67 and win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Sunday at Baltsurol Golf Club.
Yin finished at 8-under 276, edging Japan’s Yuka Saso by one stroke at the second women’s golf major of the year. Despite finding the rough off the tee at the par-5 18th, Yin reached the green in three and sank a birdie putt from roughly 10 feet to break a tie with Saso at 7 under.
“Before today’s round, I just told my physio that my goal for today (was) just no three-putts,” Yin said. “I don’t care if I’m winning or not – just no three-putts. And I did it, too.”
Yin outlasted Saso, Jenny Shin of South Korea and her friend Lin Xiyu of China, each of whom held a share of the lead at some point during the afternoon.
Saso set the clubhouse lead at 7 under by carding a 66 with six birdies, including an impressive save at No. 18. Her third shot out of a greenside bunker there calmly rolled to about 2 feet.
Yin was playing one group behind Saso.
“I saw Yuka make an incredible birdie here and I knew I had to make birdie at this hole to win the championship,” Yin said.
