Ruoning Yin’s week at Erin Hills was a powerful reminder that sports are about more than just wins and losses
They’re about moments—moments of brilliance, of connection, of memory.
Though she didn’t leave with a trophy, Yin left with something just as valuable: an experience filled with pride, progress, and yes, cheese curds.
She remains a rising star in women’s golf and a player whose journey fans will follow with great interest and affection.
As the LPGA Tour marches on, one thing is certain—Ruoning Yin is a name we’ll be hearing a lot more of in the years to come.
She’s shown resilience, class, and consistency—making every cut, recording multiple top-15s, and securing high finishes in majors.
With more than $1.2 million in prize money already earned and some of the biggest events still to come, she’s well on track to make 2025 one of the defining years of her career.
Fans and analysts alike should keep their eyes on Yin. A title is not just a possibility—it’s a likely inevitability.
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Ruoning Yin’s Close Call at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open
A Week of Near Triumph and Cheese Curds
Ruoning Yin walked off the 18th green at Erin Hills knowing she had left everything on the course. Just three strokes separated her from what could have been her second Major title.1
Yet despite the sting of narrowly missing out on the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open crown, Yin’s week in Wisconsin was filled with highlights—both on and off the course.
From battling through challenging rounds to finding unexpected joy in a bag of cheese curds, Yin’s journey at Erin Hills reflected her growth, charm, and love for the game.
Let’s take a deeper look at her performance and the memorable moments that made the week unforgettable.
A Strong Start Amid High Expectations
Coming into the tournament, Ruoning Yin was viewed as a serious contender. Already a Major champion, the Chinese golfer had consistently proven her ability to rise on the biggest stages.
She opened her campaign at Erin Hills with a solid 1-under 71 on Thursday. It wasn’t a fireworks-laden round, but it set the tone for what was to come.
Yin showed remarkable consistency and poise in the opening round, managing the tough layout and undulating greens with control.
While some of her competitors struggled under U.S. Open conditions, Yin remained focused and composed, a hallmark of her style.
Ruoning Yin: The Cheese Curd Surprise
A Heartwarming Moment
One of the most delightful and unexpected highlights of Yin’s week had nothing to do with birdies or bogeys—it came in the form of a thoughtful gift from a fan.2
Speaking in her post-round press conference, Yin shared a memory that lit up social media:
“Yeah, so the volunteer on No. 5, he saw the video that LPGA posted about the cheese curd, and then he brought me a whole bag of cheese curds on Thursday. I was like, that’s definitely the best memory of this week.”
It was a small gesture, but it reflected the warmth and camaraderie that surrounds women’s golf. The LPGA Tour’s Instagram quickly picked up on the moment, posting a photo of Yin with the quote and the caption, “One more time for the cheese curds 🧀 No one loves them more than Ronni.”
Fans across the world appreciated the human side of a player who is typically laser-focused during events. The moment became a symbol of how sports can bring people together in the most unexpected ways.
Battling Through Friday and Saturday
Yin’s second and third rounds were a mixed bag. On Friday, she carded a 72—an even-par round that kept her in the mix but didn’t allow her to pull ahead of the leaders.
Conditions at Erin Hills were tough, with fast greens and swirling winds adding to the pressure.
Saturday saw a repeat performance of 71, as Yin continued her steady play. She wasn’t dropping too many shots, but birdies were hard to come by. Her ability to avoid disastrous holes kept her within striking distance of the leaders heading into the final round.
Despite not making a major charge during moving day, Yin’s strategy was clear: stay patient and wait for Sunday.
Final Round Fire and Frustration
Sunday at the U.S. Women’s Open is always special—and Ruoning Yin rose to the occasion. She kicked off the day with a birdie on the par-5 first hole, immediately signaling her intent to contend.
Over the next seven holes, Yin played steady golf, making seven consecutive pars. Her rhythm looked smooth, and she appeared calm even under the mounting pressure of a Major final round.
However, the ninth hole brought a hiccup. A bogey on the par-3 slowed her momentum going into the back nine. Still, Yin bounced back with characteristic grit. From holes 10 to 15, she kept a string of pars going, refusing to make costly mistakes.
Then came a late charge—birdies on holes 16 and 17 lifted her to 4-under overall, moving her up the leaderboard and into a tie for fourth. Unfortunately, she couldn’t capitalize on the par-5 18th, finishing with a par and narrowly missing a podium finish.
Ruoning Yin: Bittersweet but Encouraging
In the end, Yin finished tied for fourth at 4-under par, alongside Hye-Jin Choi and Mao Saigo.3
While it wasn’t the win she had hoped for, a T4 in a Major championship is a tremendous result—especially considering the strength of the field and the difficulty of the course.
Maja Stark, who emerged victorious, edged out the competition with a masterful performance. Yin, just three strokes behind, could take solace in knowing she had been in contention throughout.
Lessons Learned and Positives Taken
Every tournament, especially a Major, provides valuable experience. For Yin, Erin Hills was another opportunity to test herself against the game’s best under the harshest conditions.
She showed she could handle the pressure, execute her game plan, and stay in the fight even when things didn’t go perfectly. Her composure across all four rounds was commendable, and her final round performance was a testament to her resilience.
What stood out most, perhaps, was Yin’s ability to enjoy the moment—even in the heat of competition. From laughing about cheese curds to soaking in the support of fans, she demonstrated that joy and passion are as much a part of her game as precision and power.
A Fan Favorite in the Making
Ruoning Yin is fast becoming a fan favorite on the LPGA Tour. Her humility, combined with a sense of humor and grace under pressure, has endeared her to golf lovers around the world.
The cheese curd story, while humorous, was also heartwarming. It showed the human side of a fierce competitor—someone who can appreciate the simple pleasures amid the pursuit of greatness.
Social media responded in kind. Fans flooded the LPGA’s Instagram comments with praise, jokes, and support for “Ronni.” Many called for cheese curds to become her signature snack. Others applauded her authenticity and charm.
What’s Next for Ruoning Yin?
With the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open in the rearview mirror, Yin will likely turn her attention to the remaining events in the season, including the remaining Majors and possibly the Olympics, if selected.
She’ll carry the confidence of a top-five finish and the lessons of Erin Hills with her. If her current form continues, she could very well add another Major title to her resume before the year is out.
And maybe—just maybe—she’ll pack a few cheese curds for the road.
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Ruoning Yin’s 2025 LPGA Season
A Rising Star’s Steady Climb
In the world of professional golf, consistency is often a more telling measure of a player’s caliber than the occasional flashy win.
Ruoning Yin’s 2025 season is a masterclass in sustained performance. With nine events under her belt as of June, Yin has made the cut in every single tournament.
This alone speaks volumes about her mental resilience, course management, and ability to adapt to various playing conditions and field strengths.
While she hasn’t yet secured a win in 2025, her record shows no signs of mediocrity. Instead, it reveals a player who is constantly in the mix, hovering around leaderboards, and showing up in pressure-packed moments.
Highlight Performance: T2 at the Black Desert Championship
Perhaps the most eye-catching moment of Yin’s season so far came at the Black Desert Championship presented by Greater Zion.
Finishing tied for second with a jaw-dropping 21-under-par, Yin demonstrated her ability to go low and contend for a title.
This tournament was a perfect showcase of her strengths: accurate iron play, steady putting, and strategic course management. Competing against a highly competitive field, Yin held her nerve throughout the weekend, narrowly missing out on her first win of the season.
The $241,445 payday was a nice bonus, but the confidence she would’ve taken from that performance is worth even more.
Ruoning Yin: Fan Meetup
Ruoning Yin shaed a wholesome video from his post match fan meetup on her instagram account.
View this post on Instagram
A Close Call at the Chevron Championship
Another standout performance was her T2 finish at The Chevron Championship, one of the LPGA’s five majors. Tied for second place in a major tournament is no small feat.
Yin carded a total score that left her just short of capturing a second major title—she previously won the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
This performance earned her a hefty $462,966 and reinforced her reputation as a big-stage performer. Her play throughout the week was composed and intelligent, and she held her own against the best golfers in the world.
Strong Showing at the U.S. Women’s Open
One of the toughest events in women’s golf, the U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally, saw Yin finish in a tie for fourth. The course conditions were brutally difficult, as expected from a U.S. Open setup.
Yet, Yin thrived under pressure and demonstrated her ability to compete in grueling environments. Her T4 finish added another $486,262 to her 2025 earnings and significantly boosted her world ranking and season standings.
Ruoning Yin: Mid-Pack Results
Staying in the Game
Not every tournament resulted in top-10 finishes, but even in the events where she wasn’t a leading contender, Yin remained reliable.
Her mid-pack finishes include:
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Mizuho Americas Open: T15, $41,286
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Blue Bay LPGA: T33, $15,528
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HSBC Women’s World Championship: T21, $24,200
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Honda LPGA Thailand: T26, $15,632
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Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass: T56, $6,034
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T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards: T53, $6,215
These results might not grab headlines, but they contribute valuable CME Globe points and maintain her momentum heading into the heart of the LPGA calendar.
The Bigger Picture: Yin’s Place in the 2025 LPGA Season
With two second-place finishes in major events and consistent top-30 performances elsewhere, Ruoning Yin is positioning herself as one of the most dependable players on tour in 2025.
She might not yet have captured a title this season, but her performances suggest that a win could be just around the corner.
Moreover, she’s shown that she can contend in both regular tour events and golf’s grandest stages, making her a legitimate threat in every tournament she enters.
This puts Yin comfortably among the top earners of the season and likely in the top 10 of the CME Globe standings.
Her consistent performance makes her a strong candidate for the LPGA’s Player of the Year discussion if she maintains this form and snags a win or two in the second half of the season.
Major Season Outlook: Opportunities Ahead
With the U.S. Women’s Open and the Chevron Championship already behind her, Yin still has multiple chances to make her mark in the remaining major tournaments:
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KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
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Amundi Evian Championship
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AIG Women’s Open
Considering her track record in majors and her current form, it would not be surprising to see her lift another major trophy before the year concludes.
Off the course, Ruoning Yin continues to gain recognition as a rising star in global golf. Her poised demeanor, athletic swing, and strategic playstyle make her a fan favorite and a role model for young players—especially from China and Asia, where she is already seen as a trailblazer.
As her influence grows, so does the expectation. But based on her 2025 season so far, Yin is handling the spotlight with grace and maturity.
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