China’s Ruoning Yin held her nerve to sink a birdie on the final hole to win the Women’s PGA Championship in New Jersey.
The 20-year-old, who is 24th in the women’s world ranking, carded a bogey-free 67 on a weather-delayed final day at Baltusrol Golf Club, where a birdie at the par-five 18th lifted her to eight under ahead of former US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso.
Yin found the rough with her tee shot at the par-five last and had to lay up, before she struck an impressive iron to eight feet and holed a curling putt to secure her maiden major win.
“I knew I had to make birdie on that hole to win a championship, and I am glad I did it,” said Yin, who won the LA Open in April. “I only missed six greens in four days I think so my course tracking was pretty good.”
Solheim Cup stars Carlota Ciganda and Anna Nordqvist shared third spot on six under with Megan Khang, Xiyu Lin and Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow, while overnight leader Leona Maguire from Ireland slipped out contention after a disappointing Sunday, shooting a final round 74 to finish in a share of 11th, four shots behind Yin.
Former amateur star Rose Zhang, who won the Mizuho Americas Open on her professional debut earlier this month, was a shot off the lead after six birdies in her first 14 holes on Sunday. However, the 20-year-old bogeyed the 16th and finished in a tie for eighth on five under.