GOLF: Ruoning Yin’s late birdies secure victory in Shanghai

Crucial birdie putts by Ruoning Yin on two of the final three holes led her to a one-stroke victory at the Buick LPGA Shanghai on Sunday, spoiling the chance for 54-hole leader Hye-Jin Choi to win her first tournament.

Yin, of China, and South Korean Choi stood tied at 8-under for the tournament after 10 holes. Both carded a birdie at the par-3 No. 12, and Yin's pair of birdies at Nos. 16 and 17, followed by a par on the final hole, left her with a round of 68 and an 11-under 277.

Choi birdied No. 18, but her 71 on the day wasn't enough, leaving her at 10-under and disappointed after seeking a wire-to-wire win. Her 64 on Thursday catapulted her into the early lead, but she wound up finishing second for the second time in 2026, one of five top-10 endings on the season.

For Yin, Shanghai is her second win of the year, giving her back-to-back victories. This was her first event since winning the FM Championship on Aug. 30 at TPC Boston and her seventh career title.

She also took home the trophy in Shanghai in 2024, and Yin said in a news conference that winning in China never gets old.

"I think this tournament means everything to me because just like you have the chance to play in front of all your family and friends and in front of all the amazing fans," she said.

"It's just amazing."

Following the top two were South Korean Amy Yang, who shot a 72 to finish alone in third place at 8-under. Rio Takeda of Japan (69) ended in fourth at 7-under, with Spain's Carlota Ciganda (70) in fifth at 6-under.

Ciganda was penalized two strokes on Saturday for slow play.

Alison Lee (69) and A Lim Kim (67) tied for sixth, a shot back.

Lee had opening rounds of 74 and 73, followed by a 67 on Saturday. She said things clicked for her this weekend at Sheshan Golf Club after a few weeks of illness and a back ailment.

"Something about yesterday," Lee said. "I feel like I found something right before the round and I was able to hit it a lot better. That translated well into today. I don't know. I just found something yesterday morning before the round. I really wish I could have found something Thursday morning before the round because I feel like I would've finished a lot better and who knows where I would be on leaderboard.

"Definitely happy with a top 10 finish this week."

-Field Level Media/Reuters