CHINA’S Yin Ruoning won the Women’s PGA Championship for her first major title at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, the United States, on Sunday.

The 20-year-old became only the second player from the Chinese mainland to win a major championship after Feng Shanshan, who grabbed the 2012 women’s PGA title.

Yin bagged the US$1.5 million top prize after she finished at 8-under 276, beating Japan’s Yuka Saso by one stroke.

“When I was on the 18th tee and I saw the leaderboard, and I know I have one-shot lead, but after the tee shot, I saw Yuka make an incredible birdie here, and I know I have to make birdie at this hole to win the championship. I’m glad I did it,” said Yin.

“Today, I didn’t think too much. My goal was just no three-putts because the last couple days I made five bogeys, and four of them is made by three-putts. Today just no three-putts,” said the Shanghai native.

Fellow Chinese player Lin Xiyu added gloss to Yin’s victory by finishing third on 278, along with Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, American Megan Khang and Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow.

Yin had joined Feng as the only Chinese women to win an LPGA title when she captured the LA Open in April.

“I would say she’s definitely the goal that I’m chasing,” said Yin, who was nine years old when Feng won the Women’s PGA Championship in 2012. “She is the person who inspired me the most.”

Among those unable to match Yin down the stretch was Lin, who shared the lead when the storm struck.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Lin said of Yin’s victory. “She’s young and she’s so talented. She’s definitely really good at dealing with pressure. It’s great to see that.”

Yin rents a house in Orlando from Lin and said she hadn’t thought about how her rent might now get higher.

“Actually, I’m thinking about buying her house right now,” Yin said.

Yin joined a list of major winners at Baltusrol that includes Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Mickey Wright.

“I’ve got goosebumps,” Yin said. “They’re all legends. I’m glad that I can be part of it.”

Yin hopes her victory can boost golf in China.

“I think it means a lot,” Yin said. “I think it’s going to push a lot of kids to play golf.”

Feng Shanshan, the Rio Olympic bronze medalist, expressed her congratulations and pride for Yin’s victory and highlighted the increasing presence of Chinese girls on the world tournament leaderboard.

“Yin, congratulations on your victory, a Grand Slam victory!” Feng posted on her Weibo account. “And congratulations also go to Lin Xiyu for taking third place.”

“This is the power of the new generation of young athletes, and the hope of Chinese golf. I am proud of you!” Feng said.

(SD-Xinhua)