Yoon Yina, who tied for fourth place — her best major finish ever — at the Chevron Championship that ended on April 26 (local time), opened her eyes just past 2 a.m. the following morning. She had to catch an early flight to Ohio. The reason she headed to Ohio within the United States, rather than to Mexico where the next LPGA Tour event would be held, was that she had agreed to serve as a "caddie's caddie."
Yoon will carry the golf bag of her caddie Kevin Bensted (U.S.), who is competing in a U.S. Open local qualifier at Findlay Country Club in Findlay, Ohio, on April 28 (local time). Although the competition is just an 18-hole round, Yoon believes this "role swap" will help her understand a caddie's situation and feelings. It is also a gesture of loyalty as "one team." Her caddie Kevin has experience competing on the PGA China tour.
It was an extremely busy "major week" for Yoon. The third round was probably the most grueling. After finishing the round, she had to do an unexpected interview with U.S. golf publication Golfweek, and after the interview, she stayed alone on the driving range to practice even after all other players had left. In truth, it is no small feat for a player competing in a tournament to make time for an interview. On top of that, the subject matter of the interview was not something she particularly wanted to revisit. Standing for nearly 30 minutes with an interpreter beside her must have been mentally and physically taxing. The fact that the interview article's opening noted that the day before the final round was not "the ideal time" for an interview, and stated that Yoon agreed, suggests that the Golfweek reporter also felt some guilt. That she produced a "tied-for-fourth major finish" under such adverse conditions can only be called remarkable.
Yoon's statistics this season show that she is properly establishing herself as an LPGA top-ranker. She has jumped 14 spots in the world rankings, from 53rd to 39th. Re-entering the top 50 will serve as a solid foundation for reaching the world's top 10.
Her major statistics this season are even more impressive. She ranks fifth in scoring average (70.29), sixth in prize money ($793,478), and 14th in CME points (571.41) — credentials befitting an "LPGA top-ranker." Her prize money and CME points have already surpassed last year's totals. In 2024, Yoon ranked 63rd in prize money ($566,970) and 63rd in CME points (495.59).
Her technical statistics shine an even brighter light on Yoon's future. Her 12th-place ranking in driving distance (280.91 yards) is only natural for Yoon, who once topped Korea's long-drive rankings. Adding to that, her greens-in-regulation rate has backed her up this season. She ranks 11th (73.61%) in that category — actually higher than her driving distance ranking. While she sits at 71st in putts per round (29.61), she ranks 17th in putts per green in regulation (1.75 per hole), which is excellent.
It had already been anticipated that Yoon's old story would eventually be brought up again. The fact that it was not raised last year is evidence that she had not shown impressive play. But the reason the story is surfacing now, more than a year after her debut, is clear. People have finally begun to acknowledge Yoon's presence.
It was a rite of passage she had to go through at some point. If anything, her shoulders may now feel lighter. What is most urgently needed at this point is the encouragement and support of golf fans, which will serve as nourishment for her to become a top player.
