PATTAYA, Thailand — Angel Yin celebrated her second victory on the LPGA Tour, clinching the title at the Honda LPGA Thailand with a birdie on the final hole. Her impressive performance included a 7-under 65, which was just sufficient to fend off a formidable challenge from Japan’s Akie Iwai.
Yin began the last round at the Pattaya Old Course with a commanding five-stroke lead and maintained a bogey-free game. She showcased her skills by scoring four birdies in the last six holes, which ultimately secured her victory. “I wasn’t that comfortable because Akie shot 10 under the first day and this course is very gettable. So I just had to keep my head down,” Yin expressed, highlighting the intensity of the competition.
The tournament witnessed an electrifying performance from Iwai, who, along with her twin sister Chisato, is making her rookie debut on the LPGA this year. Iwai’s exceptional play included an eagle on the par-5 closing hole, which brought her level with Yin temporarily at the top of the leaderboard. Nevertheless, Yin’s final birdie allowed her to finish at an impressive 28-under 260.
In the history of the LPGA, only six players have recorded lower 72-hole scores, with Sei Young Kim holding the all-time record at 257, achieved during the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic in 2018. Despite her sizeable lead heading into the final round, Yin felt the heat from Iwai, who was playing on a sponsor exemption and had surged up the rankings. After Iwai’s birdie on the 12th hole put her at 24 under, Yin responded decisively with three birdies in a row to regain control of the tournament.
At only 26 years old, Yin now joins the ranks of Lilia Vu (2023), Jessica Korda (2018), and Lexi Thompson (2016) as the fourth American to win the LPGA Thailand title. Even as Iwai finished in second place, her achievement was historic, recording a tournament-low score of 61 with ten birdies and an eagle, leading her to a final score of 261.
Thai golfer Jeeno Thitikul, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, ended the tournament in third place with a score of 66 for a total of 267. Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit and fellow Thai golfer Moriya Jutanugarn tied for fourth at 269.
This event marks the beginning of the LPGA’s Asia swing, with upcoming tournaments scheduled to take place in Singapore and China over the next two weeks.

This report has been updated to clarify that Angel Yin did not set the LPGA scoring record; Sei Young Kim retains that honor with her score of 257 from 2018. Additionally, corrections were made regarding the spelling of Jeeno Thitikul’s last name.