From May 30 to June 2, the 79th edition of the U.S. Women’s Open, presented by Ally, will take place at the Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania. As the oldest and most prestigious major championship in women’s golf, this year’s event boasts a record-breaking prize money of $12 million, marking another milestone in women’s golf history.
A field of 156 players will compete, led by two-time major champion and world number one Nelly Korda, who is aiming for her seventh victory of the season. Other major champions such as Celine Boutier, Ashleigh Buha, Brooke Henderson, and Lydia Ko are also in the mix. Joining them is China’s major champion Yin Ruoning.
This week, four Chinese players have qualified for the tournament. Alongside China’s top player Yin Ruoning, there are seasoned contender Lin Xiyu and rising stars Liu Yan and Liu Ruixin, who emerged from the qualifiers.
Yin Ruoning arrived in Lancaster on Saturday afternoon and practiced on nine holes on Sunday to familiarize herself with the course. After playing nine more holes on Monday, she commented, “The greens are quite challenging with steep slopes, so shot placement is crucial.” Having withdrawn from the LPGA Mizuho Classic two weeks ago due to a wrist injury, Yin enters the competition without setting specific goals, saying, “I’m just going to enjoy it!”
In the 2024 season, Yin has twice finished in the top-10, with her best result being a tied-fourth at the Founders Cup. In an interview, she acknowledged her improving form, expressing gratitude for the support from Chinese fans, whose encouragement gives her strength. “Competing abroad can be tough, but knowing that I have many fans cheering me on back home brings me happiness,” she said.
Lin Xiyu, a seasoned player, is ready to give her all in this demanding major. With nine appearances in the U.S. Women’s Open, she has made the cut four times, with her best finish being a tied-seventh in 2021. Currently ranked 12th in the world and 25th on the LPGA CME points list, Lin emphasizes the importance of maintaining her energy throughout the week. “This is a true major test, and I’ll strive to perform well,” she stated.
In the 2024 season, Lin Xiuyi has shown consistency on the LPGA Tour with three top-10 finishes, also tying for fourth at the Founders Cup. She acknowledges the need for further breakthroughs and has been working on her game to find her peak performance.
The first-round tee times (Eastern Time) for the four Chinese players are as follows:
Yin Ruoning, 8:02 AM from hole 1
Lin Xiuyi, 8:35 AM from hole 10
Liu Ruixin, 8:46 AM from hole 1
Liu Yan, 2:42 PM from hole 1
