Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: ‘Ronni’ Yin Ruoning claimed her fifth LPGA Tour title with a nerve-tingling one-stroke victory at the Maybank Championship.

It was a fitting finale to the second edition of the US$3 million LPGA event, which forms the third stop of the Tour’s late-season Asian Swing and offers the largest ladies prize purse in the region.

In a gripping final round, Yin went toe-to-toe with good friend Atthaya ‘Jeeno’ Thitikul of Thailand and Korean Ryu Hae-ran, eking out a one-stroke victory on the West Course at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC).

The 22-year-old from China shot a last day seven-under-par 65 to finish on 23-under 265 to collect the Tiger Trophy and the US$450,000 first prize. It was Yin’s second win on the Tour’s Asian Swing this year after securing victory in the Buick LPGA Shanghai Championship a fortnight ago.

Atthaya carded a final round 66 for a 266 total, while Ryu signed off with a 67 and was one stroke further back on 267.

Remarkably, there were five hole-in-ones during the week, the second most in an LPGA Tour event. It’s the first time there have been five aces since the 2019 Buick LPGA Shanghai.

Yin, who holed a knee-trembling six-footer for a birdie on the final green, was a picture of consistency and poise on what proved a frantic final day which came down to the last hole.

Yin posted scores of 67, 67, 66 and a closing 65. After collecting her third LPGA Tour title of 2024, she said: “I learned a lot from early this year because I was stressed. I had such a great year last year that I was wondering if I can win again. What if I can’t?

“I think I really learned that I just need to enjoy myself out here and have fun, be happy … so that’s what I do.”

On being pushed all the way by Atthaya and Ryu, Yin added: “I was nervous. I really appreciated Hae-ran and Jeeno. They bring the best out of me. It was just another great day on the course and another great day with my friends.” 

Atthaya, beaten in an epic nine-hole play-off by Celine Boutier here last year, said: “It’s all that I could do. I gave 100% out there. It was a good final round for me.

“Ronni did a really incredible job. I think for the past three days she didn’t have a bogey.”

Of the enthusiastic fans, she said: “It was crazy. I think it was a lot more (fans) than last year. That’s what we love to see. Not just me, but all of us on the Tour. We love to see the fans come out, especially the kids. We show up here and want to try and inspire them.”

This year’s Maybank Championship also marked the best ever showing of Malaysians in an LPGA event in Malaysia. Amateur Mirabel Ting finished in a tie for 12th place on 12-under 276 and Epson Tour star Ashley Lau was joint 22nd on 278.

The two other Malaysians in the field, Liyana Durisic and Durriyah Damian, finished 74th and 76th respectively.

The galleries were thrilled by the on-course exploits of Ting, who outshone her professional compatriots.

The 19-year-old showed great skill and maturity to shoot rounds of 67, 75, 64 and 70, finishing ahead of Major championship winners Yuka Saso, Amy Yang, Ayaka Furue, Jennifer Kupcho, Ashleigh Buhai and round one leader Mao Saigo.

Ting, who finished level with defending champion Boutier, said: “Overall I did well this week, handling the pressure and the crowd. I wasn’t expecting to be able to handle the pressure like that. But I handled it pretty well. I also learned a lot this week, finally getting to play my first LPGA event.”

With the win, Yin became the second player to win two Asian Swing tournaments, following in the footsteps of her compatriot Feng Shanshan.

Maybank President and Group CEO Dato Khairussaleh Ramli said: “We have been privileged to witness golf at its finest in this year’s Maybank Championship, not only by our deserving champion, Yin Ruoning, but by the other LPGA stars and regional talents.

“The players have put on a fabulous show for us, not least our very own rising amateur, Mirabel Ting.

“I am also proud that this year’s Maybank Championship witnessed an impressive turnout of more spectators than last year over four days. It is our fervent hope that the championship will inspire more young talents to pick up this beautiful game.”