Angel Yin spelled the challenge from Japan’s Akie Iwai on Sunday to etch its name in the LPGA Tour story with a record-breaking victory at Honda Lpga Thailand.
Yin went with a five-stroke’s lead and shortened seven birdies during his Bgey-free round to end at 7-under-pair 65 on Sunday and 28 under 260 for the tournament at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course. She broke the 72-hole tournament record set by Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Xiyu Lin 2022.
Yin’s constant games were just enough to keep Iwai in the distance and unpack his second career LPGA Tour title. Iwai, who started the tour with a 62, was a battle better on Sunday with an 18-hole course record 61.
“I mean, I’ve never played the last round with a lead with five shots. I knew I wasn’t super comfortable. It’s not a tournament or golf course where five shots are a lot,” Yin said. “Given that Akie shot Thursday 10-under, I knew she was capable and capable of shooting a low point. Together with Jeeno (Thitikul), Moriya (Jutanugarn) and Patty (Tavatanakit) and all who played, like a glue (Kim) who won at the beginning of the year.
“I knew I just had to continue playing how I played and we’ll see what happens.”
Iwai temporarily shared the lead on 24-under after a birdie on the 12th hole. The 22-year-old finished with 10 birds during his first 16 holes before taking a step back with a bogey at PAR-4 17th.
Iwai ended with a closing eagle; But Yin birded his last hole to pocket the first $ 255,000 price control for winning the tournament, her first since she caught Buick Lpga Shanghai in 2023.
“Once I catch Angel, but she’s really good,” Iwai said. “… there is no room to come in. She played much better than me. That’s it.”
Yin’s 260 was seven strokes better than her previous best 72-hole score on 2024 CME Group Tour Championship.
The 26-year-old Californian also registered the lowest 72-hole result in relation to par on the LPGA tour since Lydia Ko at Lotte Championship 2021.
Thitikul, a runner in 2021, shortened a 67 on Sunday to finish in third place on 21-under the tournament.
“Everything is about process, and then if it’s good it is good. If it’s not good, just take it. It’s just life,” Thitkul said. “You can’t be good all day and then you can’t be bad all week.”
Colleague Thai native Tavatanakit (65), the defending champion and Jutanugarn (68) band for fourth place on 19 under.
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