China star lands Aramco title on electrifying 40-foot putt in rain

Michael Shum

China's Janet Lin Xiyu won her maiden Aramco Team Series title - and third Ladies European Tour crown - after coming out on top against World No 3 Ko Jin Young in a playoff at Fanling golf course.

The tournament was shortened to 36 holes amid the stormy weather anticipated in the afternoon yesterday - leaving Lin and South Korean Ko, the overnight leaders on 11-under-par - to battle in a playoff at the 18th hole of the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Both had a bogey in the first sudden-death hole, with Lin missing a par putt, necessitating a second playoff hole.

This time around, the 27-year-old Lin drained a spectacular 40-foot-putt for birdie to claim her first victory in the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF. Lin, who won bronze in the Hangzhou Asian Games last week, said she was "a little in shock" after the monster putt on a "very challenging" hole.

"I'm still a little in shock. I mean, everything happens for a reason. I didn't make my putt in the first playoff hole," Lin said.

"I told myself to stay patient. And then it was another good drive and a good close shot. And, you know, making that putt was pretty phenomenal."

She added: "That was one of my best putts! I have been in the 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."

The Chinese star lost two other playoff duels in the last two seasons - at the Honda LPGA Thailand in 2022 and earlier this year at the JM Eagle LA Championship.

It was the first time Lin played in Hong Kong.

"It means a lot, when you can capture a win in front of a field that includes the World Nos 1 and 3. It was a pretty good feeling," she said.

"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 current world women's No 1 is American Lilia Vu.

The final leg of the Aramco Team Series will be held at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia from October 27 to 29.

The Hong Kong tournament saw 84 top female golfers vie for US$1 million (HK$ 7.8 million) in prize money - the highest for a women's professional golf tournament to be staged in the city.

The individual title offers Rolex Rankings and Solheim Cup ranking points, which will contribute to the professional golfers' world rankings.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com