By: Max Bechtoldt
On a day where players are having trouble even standing up because of extreme winds, Ruoning Yin was incredible, shooting a -4 68.
The theme of the day, and probably the whole week, at the 2024 AIG Women’s Open will be to just survive as best you can. Because of the heavy, and consistent, winds, players have been hitting woods into par 4s that are relatively short. Through that, Ruoning Yin thrived.
Yin, incredibly, made seven birdies throughout her round. That is a mark that almost assuredly will not be hit by any other player in the field Thursday, unless the conditions drastically change. She did also make three bogeys, including two late. Through 14 holes, Yin was at -6 and looking poised to run away from the field.
When her game is clicking on all cylinders, Yin is probably a top three all around player on the tour. The 21-year-old major champion doesn’t have a weakness. Her ball-striking is as good as anyone, and she putts terrifically. She showed off her game today with 15 greens hit in regulation and just 29 putts.
Jenny Shin is the only other player to get lower than -1 so far, shooting a brilliant -3 69. Shin kept the ball in play, hitting 12 fairways and 14 greens. She took advantage of the par 5s, going -3 on the two longest holes.
There is still a long way to go, with the afternoon players just getting started, but it is hard to imagine anyone matching Yin’s score today.
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