Hong Kong SAR, China: Lin Xiyu clinched her third Ladies European Tour (LET) title after a play-off at the weather-hit Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Hong Kong.

The final round of the event at the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC) had to be cancelled due to Typhoon Koinu with the Government issuing a T8 alert.

A member of the bronze medal-winning China women’s team at last week’s Hangzhou Asian Games, world number 12 Lin was the last player standing at Fanling.

In a suitably dramatic finale to an event that featured world number one Lilia Vu, Spanish Solheim Cup heroine Carlota Ciganda and American rising star Rose Zhang, it was Lin who took the plaudits, holing a lengthy birdie putt at the second hole of sudden-death to defeat Korean world number three Ko Jin-young.

Lin said: “Whenever you can capture a win in front of the world number one and world number three, it’s a pretty good feeling. Also this week I got so much support from the local fans. I feel really grateful. This will always hold a very special place in my heart.”

At the end of the second round on Saturday, Lin and Ko were locked together at the top of the leaderboard on 11-under-par.

With the tournament being shortened to 36 holes, Ko and Lin returned to on Sunday morning for a play-off that started at 9.30 am.

On the first play-off hole, the 18th of the HKGC’s Eden Course, Ko found the water with her second shot but landed her fourth shot just a few feet from the pin.

Lin had the chance to make a par putt to win, but missed on the right side. She tapped-in for a five before Ko rolled in her putt to also make a five and send them both back to the tee.

With the wind blowing and the rain coming down, Lin landed her second shot on the edge of the green while Ko was off the green on the right-hand side.

The Chinese star then rolled in her monster birdie putt to put pressure on the two-time Major champion, who needed to hole her chip shot. Despite a brave effort, Ko’s attempt failed to drop leaving Lin and her caddie to celebrate on the edge of the green.

Lin said: “It means a lot. It’s something you don’t do lots of times. I’m just happy I got it done in front of everybody watching – especially after the first play-off hole where I missed that shorter winning putt.

“After I missed that putt, I quickly regrouped. On the second hole I think I played a lot smoother. I didn’t think I could make a birdie in these conditions on the 18th hole so that’s a big bonus for me.”

It was the third play-off in which Lin has participated but the first time she emerged triumphant. She lost out in extra-time on the LPGA Tour at the 2022 Honda LPGA Thailand and 2023 JM Eagle LA Championship.

Of the winning shot at the HKGC, Lin said: “That was one of my best putts. I have been in play-offs a lot of times in the past two seasons and I haven’t won one but I kept telling myself that I haven’t done anything wrong and my time is going to come.

“I am playing against Jin-young. It’s not easy, she’s one of the best players in the world but in these conditions, everyone is the same. Whoever stays the most patient wins this play-off. I handled this really well. I’m proud of myself and I’m glad. I know this putt is a bonus, but because I stayed so patient this is my bonus and my time.”

Reflecting also on her experience in Hangzhou last week, Lin said: “It was a very memorable week, playing the Asian Games again after 13 years. Since Covid, I’ve not played a tournament with spectators in China. We got really big support, and it was crazy. I was shocked by how many people came to watch us.”

Dutch star Anne Van Dam finished the week in Hong Kong in third place on 10-under with Australian Stephanie Kyriacou and Spaniard Nuria Iturrioz one shot further back in a share of fourth place.

The Hong Kong Golf Club is a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.