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Ruoning Yin wins LA Open in playoff on final hole for first LPGA title

April 3, 2023

PALOS VERDES — Ruoning Yin’s rollercoaster-like round on Sunday’s final day of the LPGA DIO Implant LA Open at Palos Verdes Golf Course created some anxious moments, but the 20-year-old ultimately survived the white-knuckle ride to claim her first LPGA title.

Yin’’s final round 1-under 71 included six birdies and five bogeys but it was a two-foot par putt on the par-4 18th hole that sealed the one-stroke victory at 15 under. Georgia Hall who fired a final round 67 to finish second for the second straight week finished at 14 under. Hall missed a 5-foot birdie putt on 18 to try and force a playoff. Former UCLA standout Patty Tavatanakit and Hyo Joo Kim tied for third at 12 under.

Yin said she expected Hall to make her birdie putt on 18 and that she was mentally preparing for a playoff. When Hall’s putt missed, Yin stepped up and calmly knocked in her short par putt. As the ball dropped, Yin did a Tiger Woods-like first pump, celebrating her first LPGA victory.

“I fought so hard today,” a relieved Yin said. “After I made three bogeys in a row on the front nine, I’m so happy that I fought back. Like I said yesterday, I knew I can make birdies at this course for sure, and I just told myself to be patient. I was nervous on the back nine thinking about maybe winning. My hands were shaking a lot before I hit the last putt. I am very happy to win.”

Yin is now the second player in Tour history from the People’s Republic of China to win an LPGA event, joining Shanshan Feng who retired last year with 10 wins. She was asked what joining Feng means to her and for golf in China.

“Being the second Chinese player after Shanshan Feng (to win on the LPGA Tour), that means a lot,” Yin said. “I think maybe I can push little more Chinese kids to play golf and push more people to focus on China golf. During the round I heard a lot of Chinese fans rooting for me, which made me exciting. Yeah, like I said yesterday, if I’m going to win today it’s going to be a big day for me and for China golf.”

For the second straight round, Yin made three straight bogeys on the front nine, but despite the adversity, she regained her focus on managed to make four straight birdies to finish the front nine.

Seemingly back on track as she made the turn, Yin pushed her drive on the par-4, 10th hole into the rough and then hit a tree on her second shot. With the pressure mounting she hit her third shot to the back of the green and two-putted for bogey.

“I had a goal that I cannot make three-putts, and I cannot make any double bogeys,” Yin said. “After I hit the tree, I said, ‘Let’s just make bogey here.’ I didn’t even think about make par, but I had to make bogey.”

While there were many key moments throughout the day that helped Yin reach the winner’s circle, none were bigger than what happened on the par-5 14th hole. Coming off a bogey on the par-3, 13th hole that cut Yin’s lead to single stroke over Hall, Yin’s second shot hit a tree. Somehow instead of bouncing into the rough, Yin’s ball instead bounded into the fairway. Taking advantage of the good fortune, Yin knocked her third shot to 5 feet and then made the birdie putt.

Conversely, Hall’s approach shot from the fairway flew the green, leading her to settle for a par, as Yin’s lead increased to two.

As she watched her ball heading toward the tree, Yin actually thought it had a chance to bounce out into the fairway. When it did, her caddie told her it was a good number for her and to go and make birdie.

“That hole just sums up golf,” Hall said. “Obviously she got lucky and managed to have a full shot in. Then I slightly tugged mine and had to scramble to get up and down for par. So things just swing in roundabouts. It comes and goes. It went her way, and obviously she played really great apart from that and she deserved to win.”

Trailing by four shots at the start of the day, Hall knew she needed to play extremely well in order to give herself a chance. After making four birdies on the front nine, she was in prime position to overtake Yin if she could keep the momentum going.

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Over the final nine holes Hall struggled with her swing, but time and time again her short game bailed her out and allowed her to keep the pressure on. Over the final nine holes she was a perfect four for four with sand saves.

“That back nine was really tough and the wind got up as well, and I did miss a lot of greens actually on the back nine,” Hall said. “I managed to get up and down a lot. I felt a little like Seve out there, so just to have a chance on the last hole and gave myself the best opportunity. Unfortunately, the greens this time of day are very bobbly and it was tough to know what was the right line to pick. Unfortunately, it just bobbled off line.”

Hall called the last two weeks a rollercoaster of emotions, coming close to wins twice but falling just short both times.

“It’s very mentally draining,” Hall said. “Obviously gutted not to get a win. But two second place finishes show me I am right where I need to be to start the season, so very happy.”

Orange County Register

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Ruoning Yin wins LA Open in playoff on final hole for first LPGA title

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