Ex-AAC Champion Lin in Positive Mood

Las Vegas, United States: China’s Lin Yuxin justified his pre-tournament confidence with a morale-boosting opening-round in the Shriners Children's Open at TPC Summerlin.

Showing few signs of nerves, the two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) winner toured the TPC Summerlin layout in three-under-par in what is the third FedEx Cup Fall event.

That left him in a share of 21st position on a weather-hit day when not all the competitors were able to complete their rounds.

The 22-year-old left-hander turned professional in June after finishing 10th in the final 2023 PGA Tour University rankings, earning conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour where he featured in nine tournaments that provided him with valuable experience.

Although he twice competed in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National and once in The Open as a result of his AAC triumphs this is his first non-Major championship start on the PGA Tour.

“I’m really honoured to be here competing (this week). It’s a great opportunity. I just need to stick to my game plan and see what happens. The game is feeling pretty good honestly. I’ve been feeling confident,” said Lin, who earned his spot in the Shriners Children’s Open through his victory in the Southern Highlands Collegiate in March.

“I feel pretty comfortable out here. I think the most important thing out here is to stick to my game plan and shoot some low scores. I’ll try to do my best and see what happens.”

Lin stood out as a top prospect for Asian golf following his two AAC wins – at Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand in 2017 and at Shanghai’s Sheshan International Golf Club in 2019 when he pipped Japan’s Takumi Kanaya in a play-off.

Regardless how he finishes this week, Lin knows the grind will continue as he chases his card on the PGA Tour.

“I was able to transition to my first season on the Tour, and it is a big transition,” said Lin, who graduated from the University of Florida. “It is definitely a learning experience. I played some good golf and bad golf but it is always a process. Just keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully it’ll pay off.”

Among Lin's peers from the graduating class of 2023 is Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who ranked number one to earn a PGA Tour card.

Aberg, 23, has since taken the golf world by storm. His strong showings include a first victory on the DP World Tour last month, a successful Ryder Cup debut in Rome where he contributed two points in Team Europe’s victory over the United States, and a runner-up finish at last week’s Sanderson Farms Championship.

Additionally, this week’s defending champion, Korean Tom Kim, is already a two-time PGA Tour winner at the age of 21, offering hope to Lin that the young guns are capable of making their mark.

Lin is exempt into next month’s Stage Two of the PGA Tour Qualifying School. He hopes to progress into the final stage which offers the leading five players and ties PGA Tour cards for the 2024 season.

“I’m kind of nervous and excited for it,” said Lin about Q-school. “Short term, I’ll just try to get my Tour card and long term will be to try to win out here.”