Angel Yin Claims Thrilling Victory at Honda LPGA Thailand

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) — Angel Yin captured her second LPGA Tour title on Sunday, prevailing at the Honda LPGA Thailand after a thrilling final round where she held off a strong challenge from Japan’s Akie Iwai. Yin entered the day at the Pattaya Old Course at Siam Country Club with a five-shot lead, ultimately finishing with a 7-under 65 and a total score of 28-under 260, just one stroke ahead of Iwai.

Yin, who carded rounds of 67-64-64-65, matched the lowest 72-hole score in relation to par on the LPGA since Lydia Ko in 2021 at the Lotte Championship. She also broke the previous tournament scoring record of 262, set in 2022 by Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Xiyu Lin.

“I wasn’t that comfortable because Akie shot 10 under the first day and this course is very gettable. So I just had to keep my head down,” said Yin, reflecting on the intensity of the final round.

Yin started the final round strong but felt the pressure as Iwai climbed the leaderboard. After a birdie on the 12th hole, Iwai temporarily tied with Yin at 24 under. However, the American regained her footing with three consecutive birdies on holes 13 through 15.

Iwai made a spectacular closing performance, carding an impressive round of 61 which included ten birdies and an eagle on the par-5 closing hole. “One time I catch up Angel, but she is really good to play me, so perfect,” Iwai stated post-round. “There is no room to get in. She played much better than me. That’s it.”

Despite finishing second, Iwai’s performance marked a significant milestone as she set the tournament’s low round of 61—a record she had previously shared. “I didn’t know about her until the pro-am party… now I know who she is for real,” Yin shared about her awareness of Iwai’s skills leading into the final round.

The event, which kicks off the LPGA’s Asia swing, saw World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand finish in third place with a score of 267, following a final round of 66. Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit and compatriot Moriya Jutanugarn shared fourth place at 269.

Yin’s victory is particularly meaningful as it contrasts sharply with her situation a year prior, when she was recovering from a broken ankle sustained during an undisclosed incident in Austria. “It means a lot,” she reflected. “Last year I wanted to play Thailand, but I couldn’t because I was in a wheelchair.”

Yin also credited her unexpected caddie, Sakchai “Tom” Sirimaya, who stepped in just moments before her tee time Thursday when her regular caddie fell ill. “You really can’t pick someone that good just out of nowhere,” Yin said of her substitute, noting his experience on the Japanese Senior Tour and the Asian Tour.

With this win, Yin joins the ranks of previous American champions of the event, such as Lilia Vu (2023), Jessica Korda (2018), and Lexi Thompson (2016).