SPRINGFIELD, New Jersey – Xiyi Lin first met a teenage Ruoning Yin at the 2019 Buick LPGA Shanghai. Yin asked Lin for advice on what would be the proper way to get to the LPGA.
“At that time, I was like, ‘Wow, like this kid, she really wants something,” said Lin.
Fast forward four years to the KPMG Women’s PGA, where Lin and Yin sit tied atop the leaderboard at 4 under with two-time major winner Brooke Henderson. The two Orlando-based friends from China put together bogey-free rounds at Baltustrol’s Lower course on a day when big numbers were plentiful.
Lin, 27, who goes by “Janet” on tour and Yin, 20, who goes by “Ronnie,” play together every couple of weeks when they’re both in town but have talked more regularly of late about plumbing issues. Yin now rents Lin’s old house.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been dealing with some draining problems,” said Lin, “so when I see her, I always feel so sorry. Not with the golf, but it’s like the toilet is clogged or something. We finally fixed it like three weeks ago.”
Yin considers Lin to be a mentor, but she’s also technically her landlord.
Ruoning Yin plays a shot from the fairway on the 18th hole during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
“Yeah, I know,” said Lin. “After she win, I’m like, ‘I need to raise the rent. It was way too low for you now.’ ”
Lin laughed, taking great delight in the success of her friend. Yin won the DIO Implant Open earlier this spring, becoming the second Chinese winner in LPGA history after former No. 1 and 10-time LPGA winner Shanshan Feng, who is now retired and working as China’s national coach. Feng won this event in 2012 when it was known as the LPGA Championship.
“Shanshan, I think, is my goal,” said Yin. “All the Chinese players’ goal.”
There are nine Chinese players currently competing on the LPGA and 10 Chinese players have earned a check on the Epson Tour this season. There are also 30 Chinese players playing college golf in the U.S.
“I think there’s more to come,” said Yin.
Lin, currently No. 14 in the world and seeking her first tour title, finished tied for third last week at the Meijer LPGA Classic. She smiled brightly in the aftermath despite another close call. Lin finished second three times in 2022 and lost in a playoff to former KPMG champ Hannah Green earlier this year at the JM Eagle LPGA Championship.
“I compliment myself a lot more than before,” said Lin. “I feel like I get to a point that I know what’s going to happen. I’m experienced enough. I’m still going to miss a cut here and there, still going to feel hurt, still going to feel bad from a bad round, but I’m old enough to be able to deal with them. I feel like I work hard and I balance my life.”
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