XIAMEN, China, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Yin Ruoning continued the incredible start to her professional career on Friday as the Shanghai teenager won the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Orient Masters by one stroke in Fujian province for her third straight win.
The 17-year-old, who turned pro last month, closed with a three-under 69 for a 54-hole scores of 10-under 206 at Orient Xiamen to earn RMB100,000. The former China national player is believed to be the first player to post three straight wins to start a pro career.
“Three straight wins definitely is a great achievement. It’s an incredible start for my professional career,” said Yin. “Last week, Chris Feng, the [China LPGA Tour] operations director, said step on the gas and try to win back-to-back. I said I wanted three straight wins. He said no one ever did that. I’m really happy I did it today. I proved that.”
Zhang Weiwei, last year’s China LPGA Tour Order of Merit winner, shot a tournament low six-under 66 to finish one stroke back at the RMB500,000 event that was played without spectators. Zhang Yunjie, who led the tournament through 15 holes, was third at two shots off the pace following a 70. Liu Yan (69) was fourth, a shot further back.
Chen Siyan (70) and Yin Xiaowen (71) were the top amateurs at three-under par, tied for equal sixth with Miranda Wang Xinying (69) at seven strokes back.
Going into the final round with a one stroke lead, Yin made a birdie four at the 534-yard second to get to eight-under. She could then only muster par for the next nine holes before making birdie at the 12th hole as playing partner Zhang Yunjie picked up four birdies to get to 10-under for a one stroke lead through 15 holes.
The 165-yard 16th hole proved the difference as Zhang three-putted on the way to a bogey four. Yin answered with a birdie two for a two-shot swing and a one stroke lead she would never relinquish in her bogey-free round.
“A pivotal moment was the 16th hole where I made a 25-footer for birdie. I was really happy that I lagged behind at that time,” said Yin, who also won the CLPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament in January as an amateur.
“I said to myself it’s a round of 18 holes. The competition won’t end until the last hole. After that I still wanted one more birdie to have a firm leading position. I didn’t but I still won. That’s the key point.”
Zhang Weiwei posted her best result of the early season when the 23-year-old Hubei native carded a bogey-free round featuring six birdies.
“Something clicked today. I can make putts now. You know I was really happy to make a birdie putt from 10 feet at the second hole, which gave me a lot of confidence,” said Zhang who has qualified for the US Women’s Open in December.
“I played incredible from tee to green for the first two rounds, but I missed too many putts from within 10 feet. In all honesty, I had three putts at the 13th hole today after being on the green in two – that was difference.“
A dejected Zhang Yunjie lamented a poor finish where she could only watch as the chance for her first pro win slipped away.
“The last three holes were the crucial part. I had a three-putt bogey at the 16th hole where I missed a three-foot par putt. I also missed a 10-footer for birdie at the next hole. At the last hole I hit over the green. I knew then game over,” said the 22-year-old Hainan native.
“I learned a lot from this round. I have to work more on putts, especially putting under the gun. I feel I played great for the first 14 holes, now I feel a little disappointed. The trophy slipped away from my hands.”
Orient Xiamen is a 6,342-yard, par-72 layout designed by Ronald Fream and TK Pen
Third round leading scores (*denotes amateur)
206 – Yin Ruoning 68-69-69
207 – Zhang Weiwei 70-71-66
208 – Zhang Yunjie 69-69-70
212 – Zhang Jienalin 70-68-74
213 – Wang Xinying 70-74-69, Chen Siyan* 72-71-70, Yin Xiaowen* 72-70-71
214 – Zhang Junyuan* 72-71-71, Li Dongmei 70-71-73
215 – Ren Yue 71-73-71
216 – Du Mohan 71-74-71, Feng Simin 74-70-72, Yang Manglixiang* 73-69-74
217 – Guan Ruqing* 76-69-72, Fan Shuangshuang* 72-72-73