Ruoning Yin becomes LPGA Tour’s second Chinese winner

The 20-year-old Yin closed with an eventful one-under 70 for a one-stroke victory over Hall, who shot 67 and missed a five-foot birdie try on the 18th to force a play-off.

Recently-retired Shanshan Feng is the other only other Chinese champion, winning 10 times on the LPGA Tour.

Yin finished at 15-under at Palos Verdes Golf Club, making six birdies and five bogeys in the final round while parring the final four holes.

“That means a lot, not just for me, also for China,” Yin said.

“Shanshan is always my goal here, and I think she got 10 Tour wins here, and, yeah, it’s just my first one. She’s definitely the person I look up to.”

“I fought so hard today. I just made three bogeys in a row on the front nine. I’m so happy that I fought back.”

Hall made four birdies in a bogey-free round. She also was second last week in Arizona, losing a play-off to Celine Boutier.

Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand and Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea tied for third at 12-under, with Tavatanakit shooting 65 and Kim 71.

Hannah Green (70) was the leading Australia, tied 25th and 11 shots behind Yin, with Sarah Kemp (73) a further four shots back, while rookie Grace Kim (72) finished two-over and Steph Kyriacou (72) was five-over.