Ruoning Yang of China turned her first 36-hole and 54-hole leads into her debut LPGA victory.
Yin, 20 years old, shot 68-63-76-7-71 to win the Dio Implant LA Open at Palos Verdes Golf Club, Palos Verdes Estates (California), beating Georgia Hall from England.
Yin became a professional at the age of 17 playing on the China LPGA. She quickly won her first three events. She is now a LPGA winner. She joins Shanshan Fang as the second Chinese golfer to win.
The LPGA had almost reached a playoff twice in seven days. Up a shot, Yin hit a 25-footer on 18 for birdie. It would have iced the hole but it sailed out of play. Hall had the opportunity to force a playoff, but her six-foot birdie missed the hole on the left. Yin won by one after making her par.
Yin, aged 20 years, 6 mois and 5 days is the youngest LPGA winner since Atthaya Thitikul, who won the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship last year at 19 years, 7 month, 5 days.
Patty Tavatanakit, Hyo Joo Kim were tied for third at 12 over. Carlota Ciganda and Nelly Corda were tied for fifth at 11 over. Danielle Kang, who was hospitalized after withdrawing last week from the LPGA Drive On Championship, is back in action and tied for seventh at 10.
Jin Young Ko was tied for 25th at four under. No. 1 Lydia Ko tied 34th at 3 Under. Rookie Lucy Li shot 76-76 last Wednesday to place last in the 144 gofler field. She shot 67-73-66673 to tie for 18th.
Yin, along with Lilia Vu, is the second winner of 2023. Five golfers have won the five LPGA events in this season’s LPGA season: Yin from China, Celine Boutier(France), Brooke Henderson Canada, Jin Young Ko (Korea), and Vu (U.S.).
Only one event remains until the 2023 LPGA major. The Lotte Championship in Hawaii is the last tune-up for 2023 Chevron Championship (April 20, 23). It has moved from Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, California to its new home at The Club At Carlton Woods, near Houston.
