Ruoning Yin became China’s second LPGA Tour winner after claiming the DIO Implant LA Open title at Palos Verdes Golf Club in her 20th tour start.
The 20-year-old hit a one-under 70 to finish on 15-under and secure her first victory on the LPGA Tour. Yin stuttered with three straight bogeys including on the 10th and 13th but a birdie on the 14th helped her get back on track.
“I fought so hard today, and I just made three bogeys in a row on the front nine,” Yin said. “I’m so happy that I fought back, and, yeah, from holes six to nine it was great four-birdie (run) out there.”
She becomes the second Chinese golfer to win on the LPGA Tour after Shanshan Feng, who last earned victory at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic in 2019.
Yin’s nearest competitor, England’s Georgia Hall, missed the chance to force a play-off after missing a six-foot birdie putt, closing the final day with a 67, finishing runner-up for the second successive week.
“I was really happy just to be in this position on the weekend, especially my 9 under yesterday,” Hall said. “Just really proud of myself again. Just really gutted not to at least get to another playoff. But a bogey-free round on the final day in tough conditions out there, so just on to the next one.”
Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim tied for third at 12 under, with Tavatanakit closing with a 65 and Kim closing with a 71.
The next event on the LPGA Tour is the Lotte Championship taking place at the Hoakalei Country Club between 12th – 15th April.