Women’s World No.3 Ruoning Yin believes that the practice she gets playing on desert terrain at her warm weather winter base in Las Vegas, USA, will stand her in good stead when she tees off at Riyadh Golf Club on Saudi soil this week.
As the highest ranked player in the field, Yin makes her debut in the PIF Saudi Ladies International on February 13 as one of the tournament favorites, and is confident of her chances of success.
“Coping with sandy soil and dusty lies is something that I’m used to, playing my winter golfer in Las Vegas,” admits Yin. “I also think the breeze is going to play a big part in scoring this week, but I spend a lot of time practising in the wind when I’m home in Shanghai,” she adds. “Although the weather is a lot colder at home. It’s perfect here in Riyadh.”
Star-studded line-up of players compete for landslide prize purse
Yin is joined by a host of big-name players competing for a share of $5 million — a landmark prize fund for women’s golf. It’s the first time in history that a women’s golf event has carried the same prize purse as the men’s equivalent.
“I think it’s a big step forward,” adds Yin. “We work as hard as the men do, so we deserve equal pay. Golf Saudi are really helping the women’s game accelerate and grow.”
Ruoning Yin has sights set on reclaiming World. No. 1 spot
A win in Saudi would also bring much coveted Rolex Ranking points, and Yin is keen to reclaim the No.1 title she held back in 2022 again.
“I sat down with my team in the off-season and made a goal of winning another major, more tour victories and regaining my World No.1 spot,” she adds. “I made the same goals back in 2022 and I ticked all of them, which was pretty cool. My game is in good shape, I’m just trying to be really consistent. I think I can do the same again.”
What makes the PIF Saudi Ladies International event unique?
The PIF Saudi Ladies International tournament has a unique, fun format that encourages high drama and low scoring. Teams of four professionals play a better-ball event over 36-holes, competing for a team title, before the top 60 and ties contend in a final day shoot-out to crown an individual champion.
MORE: The latest news from the PIF Saudi Ladies International
