Ruoning Yin delivered another memorable victory in China on Sunday, October 18, winning the 2026 Buick LPGA Shanghai by one stroke over South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi.
The 24-year-old Chinese golfer shot a final-round 4-under 68 at Sheshan Golf Club, finishing at 11-under-par 277 to claim her seventh LPGA Tour title.
Choi, who had led throughout the first three rounds, finished second at 10 under after closing with a 71.
The victory earned Yin $480,000 from the tournament’s $3.2 million prize fund.
It was also her second Buick LPGA Shanghai title, following her victory in 2024.
A Late Birdie Run Decides the Championship
The final round developed into a compelling battle between Yin and Choi.
Choi entered Sunday with a one-shot advantage after leading by three strokes following the opening round and two after 36 holes.
But Yin steadily closed the gap.
By the end of the tenth hole, the two players were tied for the lead.
Neither could establish a decisive advantage through the 15th.
The turning point arrived at the par-4 16th hole.
Yin converted a four-foot birdie putt to move ahead, then added another birdie at the 17th.
Those late gains gave her enough breathing room to complete the victory.
For Choi, the result was another frustrating near miss in her pursuit of a first LPGA Tour title. Despite controlling the leaderboard for much of the week, she could not hold off Yin’s closing surge.
Final Leaderboard: 2026 Buick LPGA Shanghai
| Position | Player | Final score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruoning Yin | -11 |
| 2 | Hye-Jin Choi | -10 |
| 3 | Amy Yang | -8 |
| 4 | Rio Takeda | -7 |
| 5 | Carlota Ciganda | -6 |
Defending champion Jeeno Thitikul finished tied for eighth at three under par.
Thitikul had arrived in Shanghai after winning the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii earlier in October, but she was unable to reproduce the form that helped her claim four LPGA titles in 2026.
Why Yin’s Second Shanghai Victory Matters
Yin’s 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai victory was a dominant performance.
That year, she finished at 25 under and won by six strokes at Qizhong Garden Golf Club.
The 2026 championship presented a different challenge.
Sheshan Golf Club hosted the tournament for the first time, and the winning score was considerably lower at 11 under.
Instead of running away with the championship, Yin needed to produce decisive shots under pressure on the closing holes.
That makes this victory significant for a different reason: it demonstrated her ability to win a tight contest against a player who had led for most of the tournament.
Yin’s seventh LPGA title adds to a career that already includes the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
She previously won the FM Championship in her preceding LPGA start, making the Shanghai victory part of an impressive late-season run.
For more on the Chinese star, see our Ruoning Yin player profile and 2026 What’s in the Bag breakdown.
What Comes Next for the LPGA Tour?
The LPGA Tour’s Asian swing continues in South Korea with the BMW Ladies Championship.
The next tournament brings another strong international field as players compete for important late-season positions ahead of the CME Group Tour Championship.
Yin will arrive with considerable momentum.
With seven career victories and another successful title defense of her home-event reputation, she has reinforced her position among the leading players in women’s golf.
Reporting sources: LPGA official results and LPGA tournament report.