By Paul Bartelt
IPA Sports Editor
April 3, 2023
Palos Verdes Estates, Ca. Ruoning Yin, 20, won the 1.8 million DIO IMPLANT LA Open on Sunday shooting a one under par 70 to finish the tournament at 15 under par, one stroke ahead of Georgia Hall. Starting the day four shots back, Hall missed a five foot birdie putt on the 18th green that would have forced a play off. Hall shot a four under par 67 in the final round that included four birdies during a bogie free Sunday.
Yin became only the second Chinese winner in LPGA Tour history. Shanshan Feng, who recently retired after winning 10 LPGA tournament in her career, is the only other Chinese champion.
” That means a lot, not just for me but for China,” said Yin. ” It is just my first win…she is the person I look up to.”
Yin made six birdies and five bogies in Sundays final round including four straight birdies on the front nine while shooting par on Palos Verdes Golf Clubs final four holes. ” I fought hard today after making three bogies in a row on the front nine,” said Yin.
Yin made a two foot putt on the 18th green to secure her first victory on Tour.
This is the second week in a row that Hall has finished second. Last week in Arizona, Hall lost in a play off to Celine Boutier.