Alison Lee tees off, with the innovative format now set to make its debut in mainland China
China’s top talents and formidable LPGA players will converge at this season’s Golf Saudi and China Golf Association (CGA) organised Aramco Team Series presented by PIF in Shenzhen, with Ruoning Yin, Xiyu Lin, Alison Lee, Muni He, and Angel Yin headlining the event at Mission Hills Resort Shenzhen from October 4-6, 2024.
At just 21-years-old, World No. 5 and China’s top golfer Ruoning Yin already boasts a remarkable career. With a Major title win at the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the record for most consecutive wins on the China LPGA Tour, Yin is a force to be reckoned with.
Fresh from her victory at the Dow Championship, where she teamed up with Thailand’s Atthaya Thitkul, Yin is eager to compete in another team event, especially in front of a home crowd.
“I’ve heard a lot about the Aramco Team Series from other players on Tour who say how much fun it is to play as part of a team,” said Yin.
“It’s a unique event, and after enjoying the team format at the Dow Championship, I’m excited to debut in this series. I can’t wait to play before a home crowd and feed off their energy.”
Olympian Xiyu Lin returns to the tournament fold to defend her individual title
Joining Yin is Xiyu Lin, this year’s Olympic bronze medallist, who returns as the defending champion. Despite the final day of the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Hong Kong being called off due to weather conditions last year, Lin triumphed in a playoff against Jin Young Ko. Now, Lin is looking for her first win since that event and hopes to leverage her experience to defend her title.
“Playing in Hong Kong last year was a great experience, even with the shortened tournament due to the rain. I’m hoping we’ll get to play all three days this time around! Returning as the defending individual champion, I always strive to do my best. Still, I’m especially excited to see such a high-calibre tournament being brought to mainland China and the talented field it attracts.”
Organised by Golf Saudi, the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF contributes an annual prize fund of US$5 million to the Ladies European Tour (LET), bringing its unique and exciting team format to players and fans across three continents throughout the year.
This Shenzhen edition, which is organised in partnership with the CGA, marks the fourth stop in the 2024 series, and will bring together 28 teams of three professionals and one amateur to compete in an exhilarating team competition over two days. Additionally, a three-day individual stroke play competition will see players battle for the individual title.
LPGA star Alison Lee will represent Team USA at the Solheim Cup later this month. Lee made headlines last year with her impressive performance at Riyadh Golf Club, finishing 29-under-par and setting a new 54-hole scoring record on the LET. Having secured both of her professional wins at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF events – Sotogrande in 2021 and Riyadh in 2023 – Lee is poised to challenge Yin and Lin for the coveted title, following a T3 finish in London earlier this year.
Lee will be joined by fellow American Angel Yin, who was part of Team USA in 2023, narrowly missing out on the Solheim Cup title to Team Europe. Ranked world No. 32, Yin makes her second Aramco Team Series presented by PIF appearance this year, after missing the cut in London.
China’s Muni He will also compete at Mission Hills, following her T33 finish at last year’s weather-shortened event in Hong Kong. Known for her captivating style on the course and her prominent social media presence, He is a popular golfer and a regular competitor on the LPGA Tour.
