American Yin made seven birdies — and no bogeys — on Sunday for a four-round total of 28-under 260 at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course, which was enough to hold off Iwai despite her 61 being the lowest score of the day.
It is the California native’s second LPGA title after winning in Shanghai in 2023. She is a two-time major runner-up — at the 2023 Chevron Championship and the 2019 U.S Women’s Open.
Yin’s best finish in four previous appearances at LPGA Thailand was a share of third place in 2021.
Her winning total bettered the previous LPGA record of 261 set by Swede Annika Sorenstam in Arizona in 2001. Yin also rewrote the tournament’s 72-hole record of 262, surpassing the previous mark held by Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Xiyu Lin of China from 2022.
“I wasn’t that comfortable because Akie shot ten under the first day and this course is very gettable,” said Yin.
“So I just had to keep my head down.”
Despite starting the final round with a five-stroke advantage, Yin faced relentless pressure from sponsor invite Iwai, who charged up the leaderboard and momentarily shared the lead at 24 under after a birdie on the 12th.
The Japanese was in stunning form as 10 birdies got the 22-year-old within one shot with two holes to play, but a lone bogey at the par-4 17th ended her challenge.
The 26-year-old Yin is the fourth American to capture the LPGA Thailand title, joining Lilia Vu (2023), Jessica Korda (2018) and Lexi Thompson (2016).
Thai players completed the top five with world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul, runner-up in 2021, posting a 67 to finish in third at 21 under.
Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit (65) and Moriya Jutanugarn (68) were in a tie for fourth at 19 under.
Steph Kyriacou was the best-placed Australian in joint-45th at three under, after her round of 67.
Gabriela Ruffels (73) finished one shot further back, with Grace Kim (69) five over.
The event is the first stop of the LPGA’s so-called Asian swing before the tour moves to Singapore and China over the next two weeks.
With AAP.
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