Xiyu Lin can’t hide her smile after making birdie to take the win at Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Hong Kong (Photo credit – Aramco Team Series presented by PIF)
China’s Xiyu Lin clinched her maiden Aramco Team Series presented by PIF title, after coming out on top in Hong Kong against world No. 3 Jin Young Ko in a playoff at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
With heavy storms and strong winds anticipated from midday, the tournament was shortened to 36 holes, with a sudden death playoff scheduled in the morning (9:30am) between overnight leaders Ko and Lin, who were tied on 11-under-par.
In challenging weather conditions, the play-off took place on the 18th hole of the Hong Kong Golf Club. After missing her chance to win with a par putt on the first playoff hole, Lin held her nerve, sinking a spectacular 40-foot birdie putt to triumph on the second playoff hole to claim her first victory at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF.
On that monster putt, Lin said, “I’m still a little in shock. I mean, everything happens for a reason. I didn’t hold my putt in the first playoff hole. I told myself to stay patient. And then it was another good drive and a good close shot. And, you know, making that putt is pretty phenomenal.”
Lin, who took home an Asian Games bronze medal last week, added, “With the rain and the wind, the hole played very differently. The last two days, I’ve been using my pitching wedge into the green, and today, I had 190 yards to the hole. It’s a great course, it’s a great-positioned hole. It’s a great stage for a playoff because this hole is very challenging.”
In the past two seasons, the world No. 12 has been in two playoffs, and lost on both occasions, at the Honda LPGA Thailand in 2022, and earlier this year at the JM Eagle LA Championship.
With a huge smile, the Chinese star exclaimed, “That was one of my best putts! I have been in playoffs a lot of times in the past two seasons and I haven’t won one but I kept telling myself that I haven’t done anything wrong and my time is going to come.”
Recounting the experience of her Aramco Team Series presented by PIF debut, Lin said, “It’s my first Aramco Team Series and also my first time playing in Hong Kong in a long time. It means a lot, when you can capture a win in front of a field that includes the world number one and three. It was a pretty good feeling and also this week, I got so much support from the local fans and I feel really grateful. This means a lot to me and will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
Aside from the individual championship, the team championship reached its epic conclusion on Saturday afternoon, which came right down to the wire. It was early-starters Team Napoleaova consisting of captain Kristinya Napoleaova (CZE) and her teammates Laura Fuenfstuek (GER), Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG) and their amateur partner, John Hyun – a long-time member of Hong Kong Golf Club – who eventually managed to claim the team championship with a total score of 31-under-par, winning by one shot over Team Cheenglab to claim their first victory in the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF.
Team Napoleava – John Hyun. Laura Fuenfstueck, Magdelene Simmermacher and Kristyna Napoleaova with the team trophy. Credit: Tristan Jones / LET
Speaking after the victory, captain said, “We were so lucky with [our amateur] John, so I think it was just so good, and honestly, the Aramco Team Series are the peaks of the season, so I’m really enjoying every single event. It’s always at a great golf course like here in Hong Kong, and the locations are incredible. You get to see so much and meet new and interesting people, and I can’t wait for the next one in Riyadh.”
The final leg of the Aramco Teams Series presented by PIF will take place at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, from 27 to 29 October 2023.
