American Angel Yin matched the all-time low LPGA tournament record on Sunday to win the Honda Open Thailand with a score of 28 under par, one shot ahead of Japan’s Akie Iwai.
The 26-year-old Californian began the day with five-shot lead, but held off a determined charge from Iwai to win by a single shot.
Coming into the final day, Yin said she hadn’t taken anything for granted.
“I’ve never played the final round with a five-shot lead. I knew I wasn’t super comfortable. It’s not a tournament or golf course where five shots is a lot,” she said.
“Considering that Akie shot 10 under on Thursday, I knew she was able and capable of shooting a low score,” she added. “I knew I just needed to keep playing how I was playing.”
The organisers of the tournament said her 28 under was the lowest four-round total since Lydia Ko at the 2021 Lotte Championship, who recorded the same score.
Japan’s Iwai, in her debut season on the top women’s Tour after a successful spell on her home circuit, said she was happy with her performance and the tournament had been a “good experience”.
Thailand’s Jeeno Atthikul finished in third place with a fourth-round 66, finishing at 21-under 267.
Patty Tavatanakit, the defending champion, tied for fourth place with Moriya Jutanugarn at 19-under 269.
Yin said it “means a lot” if she is able to inspire the next generation of golfers with her play.
“It doesn’t stop here. I want to be able to help mentor or whatever, be a good example at least, I hope, for the next generation of golfers,” she said. “To see all the little girls that came out, and boys too that came out to support LPGA, it is so amazing.”
The Pattaya tournament kicks off an Asian swing for the LPGA that also takes in Singapore next week and China from 6-9 March.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images
