HONG KONG: China’s Xiyu Lin clinched her maiden Aramco Team Series title, presented by PIF, after coming out on top 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 between overnight leaders Ko and Lin, who were tied on 11-under-par.
The playoff took place on the 18th hole. 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 and claim her first victory at the Aramco Team Series.
Regarding the 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.”
The world No. 12 has been in two playoffs in the past two seasons, losing on both occasions at the Honda LPGA Thailand in 2022, and earlier this year at the JM Eagle LA Championship.
She added: “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.
“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 No. 1 and No. 3. 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.”
The final leg of the Aramco Teams Series will take place at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia from Oct. 27-29.
