Ruoning Yin scored her maiden major title after winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. Yin, aged just 20, produced a birdie at the 72nd hole to overcome Japan’s Yuka Saso by one shot.
Yin’s performance tee to green over the weekend was unrivalled. The rising star hit all 36 greens in regulation. The LPGA Tour rookie’s stunning final round 4-under 67 left her on top of the leaderboard at 8-under. Her outstanding victory marks just the second major title collected by a Chinese player after Shanshan Feng won the same title in 2012. It is Yin’s second LPGA Tour triumph. She earned her maiden victory in the US at the DIO Implant LA Open in April.
Saso, aged 22, was looking for her second major title after winning the US Women’s Open in 2021. The Philippine-born Japanese professional golfer carded a superb 5-under 66 to reach 7-under for outright second place.
Five players took a share of third place one shot further back at 6-under—Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (64), Norway’s Anna Nordqvist (65), America’s Megan Khang (67), China’s Xiyu Lin (67) and Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow (70).
Three Australians finished in the top 25. Sydney’s Grace Kim faired the best with a final round 2-under 69 moving her to 3-under and solo 14th place. The 22-year-old is enjoying a standout rookie season on the LPGA Tour having already notched a victory at the Lotte Championship in April. Two-time major winner Minjee Lee posted a final round 2-under 69 to get to 1-under and in a tie for 20th place. Gabriela Ruffels, aged 23, produced a 1-over 72 on Sunday to finish at even par and in a tie for 24th place. Ruffles has claimed two wins this season on the Epson Tour.
Ireland’s Leona Maguire held the 54-hole lead going into Sunday. The 28-year-old won her second LPGA Tour title last week at the Meijer Classic. Maguire fell out of contention with three bogeys during her first 11 holes. The world No. 12 signed for a disappointing 3-over 74 to finish at 4-under and in a tie for 11th place.
The LPGA Tour moves to California for the US Women’s Open to be staged at Pebble Beach Golf Links during July 6-9. Australia’s Minjee Lee is the defending champion.
1. Ruoning Yin -8
2. Yuka Saso -7
T3. Carlota Ciganda -6
T3. Anna Nordqvist -6
T3. Megan Khang -6
T3. Xiya Lin -6
T3. Stephanie Meadow -6
Australians
14. Grace Kim -3
T20. Minjee Lee -1
T24. Gabriela Ruffels E
T61. Stephanie Kyriacou +7
T68. Hannah Green +8
MC. Sarah Kemp
MC. Karis Davidson
MC. Su Oh
Photo credit: Christian Petersen /Getty Images
