Page 29 - Golf Champion Magazine - May 2023

Gergia Hall

Yin faced difficult situations on holes 16 and 17, but from a small dock into the deep water at the Poppy's Pond.
managed to score a birdie on the 18th hole to bring the "I saw a snake in the pond a day or two ago, so I was thinking
game to a playoff. "I definitely didn't hit good shots on about that today, but when the emotions are high and the
the playoff hole," Yin said. "It tells the story of today's adrenaline is flowing, I think I'll jump in that pond," Vu said.
situation." Although Yin played golf at UCLA, she struggled The prize money of the tournament, 5.1 million dollars,
at the beginning of her professional career and considered is the highest amount in the history of this tournament,
quitting golf. After winning her third title on the 2021 Epson and the winner of this year's tournament received 765,000
Tour and a stable 2022 season, Yin crossed the threshold dollars. Nelly Korda, who is ranked second in the world,
with a win at the February 2023 Honda LPGA Thailand eagled the 18th hole to finish at 9 under par, taking sole
tournament and entered this tournament ranked 12th in possession of third place. Atthaya Thitikul recorded four
the world, while the 24-year-old Yin, who turned pro in high consecutive birdies on holes 7 through 10, putting her at 10
school, was ranked 172nd. Yin recorded her second runner- under par when she approached the 18th hole. However,
up finish in a major tournament. she recorded a double-bogey after hitting her third shot into
"I've come a long way," Yin said. "I'm really satisfied with the water. "I hit it pretty well, but I misjudged the wind,"
where I am and what I'm doing now. I have a lot to be she said. Thitikul's partner, Aram Kim, was at 8 under par,
grateful for." and could have forced a playoff if she had made an eagle
The tournament, which failed to find a sponsor to continue on her second shot, but she made a mistake and recorded
the half-century history at Mission Hills, was known for its a par. During the first three rounds, the tournament
celebrity host Dinah Shore and moved to a forest outside was suspended several times due to rain, and on Sunday
of Houston after signing a six-year contract with Chevron. morning, the game was interrupted for 50 minutes due to
Since 1988, winners at Mission Hills' 18th green have thunder and lightning. The rain stopped after that, but the
jumped into the pond, creating a gentle wave. Despite the temperature was around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the sky
bad weather, players continued this tradition by jumping was cloudy.

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