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.”
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.
The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Hong Kong is proud to be an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports events capital. The “M” Mark is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee and symbolises intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory sports calendar.
For further information about the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF, please visit aramcoteamseries.com or follow the event on social media @aramco_series.