Golfer Angel Yin surprised fans in Pattaya, Thailand by taking the lead at the LPGA Thailand tournament with an impressive performance. She birdied three of her final four holes on the front nine, securing an outstanding 8-under 64 score on Saturday. This strong showing allowed her to hold a commanding five-stroke lead going into the final round at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course. Yin, a 26-year-old American, amassed a remarkable three-round total of 21-under 195, showcasing her exceptional skills on the course.
Despite a strong start in the first two rounds, sponsor invite Akie Iwai of Japan slipped to second place after shooting a 71 in the third round. Iwai, who had led the tournament initially, faced challenges including her first bogey of the event on the ninth hole. The competition in Pattaya marks the beginning of the LPGA’s Asian tour, with upcoming events scheduled in Singapore and China over the next couple of weeks.
Reflecting on her performance, Yin acknowledged that her tee shots were not as precise as in previous days but expressed gratitude for favorable lies and effective capitalization on scoring opportunities. Currently ranked No. 17, Yin is seeking her second LPGA title after clinching victory at the Buick LPGA Shanghai in 2023. She has also finished as a runner-up in two major tournaments, namely the 2023 Chevron Championship and the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, highlighting her consistent high-level play.
Local favorites Moriya Jutanugarn and Jeeno Thitikul each carded a solid 69 in the third round, placing them at 201, just a stroke behind Iwai. Jutanugarn and Thitikul are aiming to improve upon their past performances on home soil, with Jutanugarn achieving a tied-second finish in 2018 and Thitikul securing the runner-up position in 2021. The competition remains intense as the tournament approaches its exciting conclusion. For more golf updates, visit the AP golf page at https://apnews.com/hub/golf.
