Yin Ruoning shoots 65 to win in Malaysia. She holds off Jeeno Thitikul, who finishes runner-up again

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Starting her final round in a three-way tie for the lead, Yin Ruoning shot a 7-under 65 on Sunday to win the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia by one stroke for her second title this month.

Yin, of China, finished at 23-under 265 after a safe two-putt on the final hole. She held off Thai player Jeeno Thitikul (66), who was also runner-up at last year's event after losing the second longest playoff in LPGA Tour history.

Yin had a dominant six-shot win at LPGA Shanghai earlier this month and also won the Dow Championship in June, where she partnered with Thitikul.

“I had such great year last year, I was wondering if I can win again, what if I can’t, such things," Yin said. "But I think I just really learned that I just need to enjoy myself out here and have fun, happy, so that’s what I do.”

South Korea's Haeran Ryu shot a 67 and was two shots behind Yin. American Bailey Tardy, who equaled the best score of the round at 65, and second-round leader Maja Stark (70) of Sweden were tied for fourth at 16-under 272.

Hannah Green, who earned her third victory of 2024 and sixth of her career last week in South Korea, also had a 65 to finish sixth at 15-under 273. She was tied with American Marina Alex (69), Hsu Wei-Ling (68) and Choi Hye-Jin (66).

Defending champion Celine Boutier of France was 11 strokes behind Yin after a 72 and finished tied for 12th.

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Celine Boutier, of France, hits from a fairway bunker at the 3rd fairway during the first round of Maybank LPGA Championship golf tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Bailey Tardy of the United States watches her fairway shot on the third hole during the second round of Maybank LPGA Championship golf tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Maja Stark of Sweden watches her fairway shot on the third hole during the second round of Maybank LPGA Championship golf tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Ryu Haeran of South Korea's, watches her fairway shot on the 14th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Jean Thitikul of Thailand, watches her tee shot on the 16th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Ryu Haeran of South Korea's, right, watches her fairway shot on the 14th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China watches her tee shot on the 16th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China lines up a putt on on the 17th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China, centre, celebrates on the 18th hole after winning the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China celebrates with his caddie on the 18th hole after winning the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China kisses the trophy during the awards ceremony after winning the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China holds the winning trophy during the awards ceremony after winning the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Ruoning Yin of China's watches her fairway shot on the third hole during the second round of Maybank LPGA Championship golf tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Claudia Martínez scored her second consecutive game-winning goal to lift the visiting Washington Spirit over the Seattle Reign 1-0 on Sunday.

In other National Women's Soccer League matches, host Kansas City beat the Chicago Stars 3-0, and Bay FC played to a scoreless draw with the Utah Royals.

In the 47th minute, the Spirit successfully defended a Reign corner kick, but Trinity Rodman went down favoring her right ankle. Although Rodman came back into the match, she was later subbed off in the 56th minute.

In the 84th minute, Gabrielle Carle delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, finding Martínez for the game’s only goal.

Goalkeeper Sandy MacIver recorded three saves to earn her fifth clean sheet of the season. The Spirit (5-1-3) have won five straight games and are unbeaten in their last eight.

The Seattle Reign (3-3-2) have not scored in 409 minutes and are winless in their last four games.

Reigning two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga scored three goals against the Stars for the Current's first regular-season hat trick.

Off a deflection from defender Sam Staab and an assist from Croix Bethune, Chawinga opened up scoring for the Current (4-4-0) in the 22nd minute.

Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher attempted to cut off a cross, but the rebound landed in the path of Chawinga in the 47th for the brace. Two minutes later, Michelle Cooper’s short lofted pass found Chawinga and she completed the hat trick.

Current goalkeeper Lorena made three saves for her first clean sheet of the season.

It was Chawinga's first hat trick and the first of the 2026 NWSL season.

The Chicago Stars (2-7-0) have lost three straight.

With a scoreless draw at Bay FC, the Utah Royals extended their shutout streak to five games.

Utah captain Paige Cronin had two chances on breakaways in the 68th and 89th minutes, but both were denied by Bay goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz. Meanwhile, Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn recorded a save to preserve the clean sheet.

Bay FC (3-3-1) earned its second straight shutout.

The Royals (5-2-2) had their five-match winning streak halted. However, their shutout streak continued at 468 minutes.

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FILE - Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga in action against Gotham FC during an NWSL soccer match, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann,File)