Angel Yin overcame a tough finish in regulation play to earn her first pro victory.
Yin, the 19-year-old who was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Arcadia, birdied the second playoff hole to defeat In-Kyung Kim of South Korea and Celine Herbin of France in the season-ending Omega Dubai Ladies Classic on the Ladies European Tour at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.
“I’m speechless,” said Yin, who captured the California State Women’s Amateur when she was 12 year old and again at 14. “I’ve won my first event with a playoff, so I’ve crossed a lot of things off my list.
“I feel amazing. Actually, it’s my first major tour professional win, so this is big for me.
It’s been a long week and I’m happy to be here in Dubai for the second time. I had a great time last year and I’m happy to be here again. I loved the course and it was in great shape.”
Yin, who considered Stanford, UCLA and USC before passing on college to turn pro, played the weekend in 65-67 to finish at 15-under 273, while Herbin closed with a 64 and Kim, shot 65.
It could have been easier for Yin, who three-putted the 17th hole for par and drove into the water but was able to save par on the final hole of regulation to get into the playoff.
Herbin dropped out after driving into the water and taking a double-bogey 7 on the first playoff hole, while Yim and Kim made birdies.
Kim drove the par-4 second extra hole, No. 17, and two-putted for a birdie, and it was over when Kim could not hole her eight-foot birdie putt.
Anne Van Dam of the Netherlands was fourth after a 71, while Aditi Ashok of India shot 69 to tie for Charley Hull of England, who also had a 69, and Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden, who totaled 70.
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