Celine Boutier, of France, hits from a fairway bunker at the 3rd fairway during the first round of Maybank LPGA Championship golf tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
October 27, 2024 - 5:55 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Starting her final round in a three-way tie for the lead, Yin Ruoning shot a 7-under 65 on Sunday to win the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia by one stroke for her second title this month.
Yin, of China, finished at 23-under 265 after a safe two-putt on the final hole. She held off Thai player Jeeno Thitikul (66), who was also runner-up at last year's event after losing the second longest playoff in LPGA Tour history.
Yin had a dominant six-shot win at LPGA Shanghai earlier this month and also won the Dow Championship in June, where she partnered with Thitikul.
“I had such great year last year, I was wondering if I can win again, what if I can’t, such things," Yin said. "But I think I just really learned that I just need to enjoy myself out here and have fun, happy, so that’s what I do.”
South Korea's Haeran Ryu shot a 67 and was two shots behind Yin. American Bailey Tardy, who equalled the best score of the round at 65, and second-round leader Maja Stark (70) of Sweden were tied for fourth at 16-under 272.
Hannah Green, who earned her third victory of 2024 and sixth of her career last week in South Korea, also had a 65 to finish sixth at 15-under 273. She was tied with American Marina Alex (69), Hsu Wei-Ling (68) and Choi Hye-Jin (66).
Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished tied for 10th at 13 under.
Defending champion Celine Boutier of France was 11 strokes behind Yin after a 72 and finished tied for 12th.
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