Angel Yin wins in Shanghai for maiden LPGA title
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Angel Yin playing a shot at the Shanghai LPGA golf tournament in China on Saturday. She won after a sudden-death play-off against world No. 1 Lilia Vu.
PHOTO: AFP
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SHANGHAI – Angel Yin won on the LPGA Tour for the first time after she held her nerves on the first play-off hole to beat world No. 1 Lilia Vu in Shanghai on Sunday.
On a dramatic final day that saw the lead change hands repeatedly at Qizhong Garden Golf Club, Vu shot a final-round four-under 68 and Yin carded a 70 to take them into the play-off on 14-under 274, a shot ahead of the chasing pack.
In hazy conditions at the US$2.1 million (S$2.9 million) event, overnight co-leader Yin, birdied the par-four 18th in the sudden-death play-off.
It was Yin’s first LPGA Tour title on her 159th start, which earned her US$315,000.
“Feels amazing. I got to say,” said the 25-year-old Californian, who is ranked 35th in the world.
“I was playing today and I was like, wow, winning is tough. It’s not easy.
“So hats off to Lilia for playing so well last day again, and obviously she’s been playing really well.”
She added that she prepared for the final round by watching tennis’ Shanghai Masters men’s singles semi-finals.
Said Yin: “(Andrey) Rublev, it was a really tough match with (Grigor) Dimitrov, and I just saw him like express himself very well on the court.
“It wasn’t like he was just completely emotionless. I’ve been thinking about that a lot last night, and then today I start out pretty mellow.
“Not much, kind of flatlining. Nothing was happening.
“I was like, you know what, I think I’m going to draw on my emotions.
“That helped me a lot, to be able to be expressive and not just flatlining on the golf course.”
Vu said she was happy with her performance during the week but felt she was not at her best in the final round.
“I made a lot of mistakes today, to be honest, and I felt like this was definitely not my A-game,” the 26-year-old said.
“Today was just Angel’s day, I’m happy for her,” she added.
South Korea’s Choi Hye-jin, who started the day in 24th position, rocketed up the leaderboard with an eight-under 64 for 13 under and third place.
Choi at one point held the clubhouse lead. In the end, the 24-year-old finished alongside Germany’s Esther Henseleit (68), Liu Yu (68) of China and the Thai duo of Ariya Jutanugarn (69) and Pavarisa Yoktuan (70).
Sweden’s Maja Stark had led after three rounds but lost her nerves with a 72 to finish tied-eighth.
Danielle Kang of the United States, who won the tournament twice, including the last time it was played in 2019, carded a 71 for a share of 17th.
As part of the LPGA swing through Asia, the tour moves on to South Korea next for the BMW Ladies Championship from Thursday to Sunday.
The LPGA Shanghai was the first international golf event in China since the pandemic. AFP
