Inruuning 'World Golf Domination'... "I am the Post Feng Shanshan"

KPMG Women's PGA Championship Comeback Victory
First 'Major Queen' in 11 Years Since Peng Shanshan
'Peng Shanshan Kids' Shine with Lin Xiyu Tied for 3rd Place

Peng Shanshan, who retired last August, is a symbol of Chinese women's golf.

She was the first Chinese player to debut on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour in 2008. She made history by winning a total of 10 titles, including one major championship. From November 2017 to April 2018, she held the world No. 1 ranking, and she won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Watching Peng Shanshan's success sparked a golf boom in China, known as the "Peng Shanshan Kids."

In Ryouning is smiling brightly while holding the trophy immediately after winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. [Springfield (USA) = AFP·Yonhap News]

The power of Chinese golf is formidable. Demonstrating "continental power" by conquering major stages, Lin Xiyu is the frontrunner. On the 25th (local time), at the LPGA Tour's second major of the 2023 season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship (total prize money $10 million), held at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey (par 71, 6,621 yards), Lin shot a 4-under-par in the final round to clinch a one-stroke come-from-behind victory (8-under-par 276).

Lin Xiyu earned her second win of the season just two months after her first victory at the DIO Implant LA Open in April, taking home $1.5 million (approximately 1.97 billion KRW) in prize money. At the LA Open, she became the second Chinese player to win on the LPGA Tour after Peng Shanshan, and with this win, she built a golden milestone by winning a major championship for the first time in 11 years since Peng Shanshan in 2012.

Starting the final round tied for fourth place, three strokes behind the leader, Lin displayed flawless play with four birdies and no bogeys. After her first birdie on the 7th hole (par 5), she made consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th holes to jump into the title contention. On the final 18th hole (par 5), she secured a crucial birdie to confirm her victory. She powered her game with an average driving distance of 269 yards and a perfect 100% greens-in-regulation rate, showcasing pinpoint iron shots.

Lin Xiyu is from Shanghai. After winning nine amateur titles in 2019, she made a remarkable debut on the China Ladies Professional Golf Association (CLPGA) Tour the following year by winning three consecutive tournaments. At the end of 2021, she finished tied for fourth at the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series, earning her spot on the U.S. circuit. Last year, she struggled, missing the cut nine times in 16 events. Her only top-10 finish in her rookie year was a tie for fourth at the Dana Open.

However, in her second year, she lifted the trophy at the LA Open. At that time, she tearfully said, "I am happy to be the second Chinese player to win on the LPGA Tour after the respected Peng Shanshan." Lin Xiyu has now established herself as the leading figure of the "post-Peng Shanshan" era by conquering major championships. She said, "I hope to motivate young Chinese golf prospects and help bring attention to Chinese golf."

Lin Siwi is putting on the 17th hole of the 4th round at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. [Springfield, USA=Photo by AFP·Yonhap News]

Another Chinese player, Lin Xiyu, also shone brightly in this tournament. She posted a 4-under-par on the final day to finish tied for third place (6-under-par 278). Except for a bogey caused by a tee shot landing in the water on the 18th hole while sharing the lead, she demonstrated near-perfect skill. Lin Xiyu, who has been competing on the LPGA Tour since 2014, has yet to win but is showing steady improvement. Following a tie for third at last week's Meijer Classic, she is emerging as a rising force by contending for titles two weeks in a row.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.