MAYBANK CHAMPIONSHIP

October 25, 2023

Ruoning Yin

Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Okay, welcome everyone again to the media center. I'm here with world No. 2 Ruoning Yin. Ronni, you have seen the course I think a couple times now; definitely full 18 today. How are you finding things here in Malaysia.

RUONING YIN: Today actually is my first time to get to see the course, and I think the course, it's pretty narrow compared to last week and the green was a little bit small, but in very good condition.

Q. This is your first time playing in Malaysia. How is the weather treating you? I know it's very hot out there and rainy. How are you managing that challenge this week?

RUONING YIN: I think Malaysia is kind of -- the weather is kind of similar as Shanghai summer, so I think I like hot weather better than cold, so, yeah, it's good.

Q. Speaking of Shanghai, I know you played at home a couple weeks ago and in Korea. How much are you enjoying the Asia Swing, being sort of close to home and just getting to be here for the Asia swing?

RUONING YIN: It's my second year on the tour and first time play the Asian Swing, and especially couple weeks ago I get to play at home, which is after four years. I think it just amazing feeling to, you know, play in front of all the home fans.

Q. You won the Women's PGA Championship. That must have been amazing. How do you feel? When you went into that week, how were you feeling that you thought you were going to win the event? It was kind of like unexpected.

RUONING YIN: I think before that week I had a really good preparation, but once I see the course and I just feel like it's definitely the major course, very challenging.

I didn't think about winning at the beginning, but after first round I was only one shot behind and I have tough second day. But finish third round I put myself in a pretty good position, and final round I just -- I think I just told myself, you just kind of play your game, just keep doing what you're doing, and that's my mental, yeah.

Q. You said you've been back home quite recently when you played at home. You are playing exceptionally well. I think as everybody has already told you, particularly winning the major, which is really something special, so congratulations on that. What we would like to know is when you went back home, what kind of feeling did you get from the community? What's the impact do you think it's made? I ask that because recently you became world No. 1, which congratulations for that, too. But that sort of stuff comes with responsibilities, and obviously off that people are asking you like what I'm asking you. What did you feel back home from the community? And then what was touched on just now is you said this was your first time on the Asian Swing, but tell us in your own words what do you feel about the LPGA setting up the Asian Swing? The LPGA commissioner told us the tour itself is growing. Two things there. Thank you.

RUONING YIN: It just feels amazing to be able to be back home, especially I played the Asian Game, too. Just being able to see all the fans after four years, it's just amazing.

You know, especially winning a major and becoming world No. 1, it definitely gets more attention, but I think for me it's a good thing. I got a lot of Chinese fans, and I'm happy to see.

And the second question, I think it's for first time I play in the Asian Swing and I think LPGA has been, you know, keep growing. For me it's only my second year, so definitely a lot more for me to see. Definitely looking forward to it.

Q. This is a really strong field this week. I know you'll probably have a chance to move back up to No. 1 with a strong finish. Is that something you think about? I want to know why you think so many strong players decided to come and play here in Malaysia.

RUONING YIN: I think this week, yeah, a lot of my friend texted me, you got a chance to back to world No. 1.

But for me, I think I'm still doing some adjustment for my swing. But I just want to enjoy the city, enjoy to play in Malaysia, and just play my best.

I wouldn't think that much about it.

Q. What does it mean to you to see companies like Maybank sponsor big purses like this and see the purses grow on the tour?

RUONING YIN: I mean, it just always amazing to see some sponsors like Maybank got more support in women's golf.

It just feels very honored to play, I mean, able to play on the tour. Just amazing.