Pattaya, Thailand: Refreshed and reinvigorated by a family holiday at home in China, Yin Ruoning is aiming to make a roaring start to the Year of the Dragon.
Following a breakthrough season in 2023, the 21-year-old, nicknamed ‘Ronni’, is one of the main drawcards at this week’s 17th edition of the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Ahead of her debut appearance at the Siam Country Club’s Old Course, Yin, a former Queen Sirikit Cup participant, was in relaxed mood as she reflected on a momentous 12 months in her career during which won her first Major title and rose to number one in the Rolex Rankings.
Testament to Yin’s status and star appeal is that she’s been paired in one of the marquee groups for Thursday’s opening round when she’ll set out from the first tee at 9:50 am in the company of Celine Boutier of France, also a Major champion last year, and local favourite Patty Tavatanakit, herself on a high after an overdue win last week.
Prior to arriving in Pattaya, Yin spent a stress-free fortnight in the company of her family in China, the country of her birth that she represented with distinction as a teenage amateur.
“I didn’t touch my club for two weeks. I just enjoyed being at home … and enjoyed the Chinese New Year with my family. I think it was good for me, and just makes me fresh for the Asian Swing,” said Yin, who will also participate in LPGA Tour events in Singapore and China, immediately following on from the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Despite a little rustiness following her brief break, Yin is raring to go on a course that she feels fits her eye.
“I’ve played two practice rounds here and I think this course is well made for me. If I can swing well and just hit my ball to where I want it to land, I think I’ll shoot a good score,” said Yin, who soared to international prominence with her triumph in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey last June.
Yin was already well known in Asian golfing circles, having enjoyed an accomplished amateur career, winning nine titles in 2019 before turning professional.
The previous year, she’d made her maiden appearance in a golf tournament in Thailand, representing China in the Asia-Pacific Ladies Amateur Invitational Team Championship for the Queen Sirikit Cup at Bangkok’s Thana City.
She recalled: “I think that was my second time coming to Thailand. I came to Thailand when I was probably 10 with my mother, just for a vacation. In 2018 it was my second time coming to Thailand – and I loved playing in the Queen Sirikit Cup.”
On her latest trip to Thailand this week, Yin is not only relishing the golf course and the atmosphere at the Honda LPGA Thailand, but is also savouring the local delights.
On Monday evening, Yin was in a group that accompanied Thai Pajaree Anannarukarn, a two-time LPGA Tour winner, to dinner.
Yin said: “Pajaree took us to a Thai restaurant that was amazing. I told her that it was the best Thai food I’ve ever had. The mango sticky rice was my favourite. So, thank you to Pajaree.”
