Ruoning Yin snatched the lead from Hye Jin Choi at the very last second to claim the Buick LPGA Shanghai – what a thrilling finish! The Chinese powerhouse shot an impressive 4-under 68 on Sunday, triumphing with a total score of 11-under 277. Choi, who led the field for three rounds, had to settle for a 1-under 71 and second place at 10-under – a nail-biting affair that tested the nerves of all fans to the limit.
The tension was almost unbearable: After ten holes, both players were tied, and they remained neck-and-neck until the 15th. But then Yin hit the accelerator: First, she sank a crucial birdie putt from about four feet (1.22 meters) on the 16th, then immediately added another on the 17th, extending her lead to two strokes. That was the decisive punch.
Final Round Thriller
For Hye Jin Choi, it was a bitter day: She still held a two-stroke lead at the start of the final round, but consecutive bogeys on holes seven and eight brought Yin back into contention and shifted the momentum. This marks her fifth runner-up finish on the LPGA Tour, with her first win still elusive. Yin, on the other hand, is showing incredibly strong form in 2026 – she already claimed the FM Championship in Boston in August.
Home-Course Triumph and Big Payout
With this seventh LPGA Tour title – and her second at the Buick LPGA Shanghai after 2024 – Yin has impressively solidified her position as the world's number six. This triumph not only brings prestige but also significant cash: a hefty 480,000 US dollars from the 3.2 million dollar prize purse will be added to her account. The event, by the way, was played at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai.
