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Wednesday November 06, 2024

China’s Yin has ‘goosebumps’ as she romps to LPGA win in Shanghai

By AFP
October 14, 2024
Chinas Yin Ruoning. — AFP/file
China's Yin Ruoning. — AFP/file 

SHANGHAI: Yin Ruoning said she had “goosebumps” after six birdies on the back nine in a spectacular final round of 64 Sunday gave her a six-stroke victory at the Buick LPGA Shanghai, her first tour win at home in China.

The 22-year-old Shanghai native and former world number one finished on 25-under par, roared all the way by her hometown crowd, having begun the day one stroke behind Japan´s Mao Saigo.

Saigo´s one-under 71 left her sharing second place on 19-under with Kim Sei-young of South Korea, who carded a four-under 68. “It´s amazing to be able to win at home,” said Chinese number one Yin following a victory romp over the closing nine holes that thrilled her legion of fans in her home city.

“The crowd is amazing, people shouting my name and rooting for me,” added Yin, who said she was looking to see her mother but couldn´t manage it among the large galleries. “This tournament really, really means a lot to me and I´m just so happy I´m able to win,” she said.

At just 22, Yin now has four LPGA wins including one major -- last year´s Women´s PGA Championship. Asked what comes next, she said: “We´ll see”. “Let me finish today and just have fun with my mom, and we´ll think about it later.”