Ruoning Yin upstages Zhang to win KPMG Women’s PGA

Most of the pre-tournament headlines had focused on Rose Zhang but, in the end, it was another 20-year-old that walked away with the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Ruoning Yin carded a bogey-free 67 to hold of former US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso and win the second women’s major of the year at Baltusrol.

A birdie at the last proved crucial for the Chinese star who claimed her second LPGA title of the year.

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Carlota Ciganda and Anna Nordqvist were a further shot adrift in a tie for third alongside Megan Khang, Xiyu Lin and Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow, with Zhang – bidding to maintain her 100% winning start to life as a professional – in a tie for eighth on five-under.

Overnight leader Leona Maguire had a disappointing Sunday, closing with a 74 to finish just outside the top-10.

The day, however, belonged to Yin.

“It means a lot, but it still feels unreal right now,” she said. “Before today, I didn’t even think about it. After nine holes when we were at the clubhouse, I started thinking about, oh, maybe I have a chance to win this championship.”

With her victory, Yin becomes the second golfer from China to win a major, following Shanshan Feng who won this same event in 2012.

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Yin hopes that her success will help to push golf to new heights in her homeland.

“It means a lot,” she added. “I’m glad that I can be the second Chinese player after Shanshan won a major. Like I said after LA Open, I think it’s going to push a lot of kids to play golf. We kind of all want to push China golf to move to the next step, and I think we’re doing good.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor