China’s Asian Games ladies fire warning shots before attention turns to Hangzhou

Yin Ruoning shines at Women’s Scottish Open, while Janet Lin Xiyu and Yu Liu play their way into form

The 20-year-old Yin shoots six-under 66 to finish in third on 12-under 276 in a timely return to form

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Yin Ruoning of China follows her shot on the the ninth hole during the final round of the Freed Group Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links Golf Course on August 6, 2023 in Troon, Scotland. Photo: Octavio Passos/Getty Images

Published: 10:56am, 7 Aug 2023

While there was no victory to celebrate at the US$2 million Freed Group Women’s Scottish Open there were enough warning shots fired by Yin Ruoning and the China contingent to give their Asian Games rivals a fright with the countdown ticking away to next month’s tournament in Hangzhou.

In the end, France’s Celine Boutier never really gave the field a hope at Dundonald Links on Sunday.

She started the day three shots ahead and held the chasing pack at bay to win by two shots at 15-under-par 273 (69-68-66-70).

Celine Boutier of France poses with the championship trophy. Photo: Octavio Passos/Getty Images

But behind Boutier there were some quite brilliant rounds played, none more so than that returned by Yin Ruoning, who shot a six-under 66 to finish in third on 12-under 276 (74-69-67-66).

It was a timely return to form for the 20-year-old, who made history by becoming only the second Chinese woman to win a major when she triumphed at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship back in June but who had seen her returns taper off somewhat in more recent tournaments.