Ruoning Yin, a young golfer from Shanghai, China, recently made headlines in the sports world by winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Despite being only 20 years old, Yin has been a fan of basketball player Steph Curry for nine years, showing her love for sports from an early age.
Ruoning Yin Won a Major
Ruoning Yin has always had a passion for golf but used to jokingly tell her mom that she would have pursued basketball if she were taller. Standing on the 18th tee during the final round of the championship, Yin knew she held a one-shot lead. After watching Yuka Saso birdie the final hole, Yin understood that she needed a birdie of her own to secure the victory. With confidence and determination, she made the birdie, securing her first major championship win.
Interestingly, Yin wasn’t even playing golf when her compatriot, Shanshan Feng, became the first Chinese player to win a major championship back in 2012. Yin started playing golf at the age of 10, the same year her friend Xiyu Lin joined the LPGA. Lin, who rented her second home in Orlando to Yin, spoke highly of Yin’s talent and composure under pressure.
Yin Started Golfing in 2020
Yin’s professional career took off in 2020 when she won three consecutive tournaments on the China LPGA Tour, setting a record. She earned her LPGA card at the 2021 Q-Series, making her way to the U.S. Since then, Yin has worked on improving her English and maturing her game. She has adopted a more strategic approach, taking calculated shots instead of always aiming for the pin.
Accompanying Ruoning Yin in her recent victory was her new caddie, Jon Lehman. Lehman, a veteran caddie on the Korn Ferry Tour, joined Yin after her previous caddie was let go. He proved to be an excellent fit, familiar with the course and providing valuable insights on the greens. Yin praised Lehman’s ability to read the greens, and their collaboration has been fruitful.
Yin’s win at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship puts her in the company of golfing legends like Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, and Mickey Wright, who have also claimed victory at the prestigious Baltusrol Golf Club. Looking ahead, Yin will compete in the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, where a major championship will be held for the first time on the iconic course.