Yin Ruoning, of China, holds the trophy after winning the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament, on June 25, 2023, in Springfield, New Jersey. (PHOTO / AP)

NEW YORK - China's Yin Ruoning produced a flawless final round with four birdies to win the Women's PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club on Sunday and claim her first major title.

Having started the day three strokes back from the lead, Yin pumped her fist as she drained a birdie putt on the par-five 18th, carding a four-under par 67, before waiting for her competitors to finish in Springfield, New Jersey.

Japan's Yuka Saso (66) finished one stroke back in second after a bogey on the par-three 16th undermined an otherwise blemish-free final round.

Yin Ruoning, of China, hits on the fairway on the 10th hole during the final round of the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament, on June 25, 2023, in Springfield, New Jersey. (PHOTO / AP)

The 20-year-old Yin, who collected her maiden LPGA Tour title at the DIO Implant LA Open earlier this year, is only the second Chinese woman to win a golf major after Feng Shanshan, who grabbed the 2012 women's PGA title.

China's Yin Ruoning hit every green and kept her poise through a mid-round rain delay, overcoming hiccups she experienced earlier in the tournament that saw her stumble with four bogeys in the second round

"I would say she's definitely the goal that I'm chasing," said Yin, who was nine years old when Feng won the Women's PGA Championship in 2012. "She is the person who inspired me the most."

Yin hit every green and kept her poise through a mid-round rain delay, overcoming hiccups she experienced earlier in the tournament that saw her stumble with four bogeys in the second round.

"For the last couple days, my ball-striking was perfect. I only missed, I think, six greens in four days," she said.

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"Before today's round, I just told my physio that my goal for today (was) just no three-putt. I don't care if I'm winning or not, just no three-putt. I did it, too."

She offered a subdued celebration but became emotional at the trophy ceremony as she thanked her parents for supporting her "since day one."

Feng heaped praise on her young compatriots.

"Yin, congratulations on your victory, a grand slam victory!" said Feng on her Weibo account. "And congratulations also go to Lin Xiyu to take third place."

"They are composed, ambitious, intelligent and focused on their goals. No words are too complimentary for these excellent girls! More Chinese girls have become top athletes and are competitive enough to win, demonstrating the power of a young generation. You are the hope of Chinese golf and I am proud of you," she said.

Yuka Saso, of Japan, hits on the 10th hole during the final round of the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament, on June 25, 2023, in Springfield, New Jersey. (PHOTO / AP)

Yin bagged the $1.5 million top prize after she finished at 8-under 276, beating Saso by one stroke.

Saso drained her birdie putt on 18 but could only watch on as Yin equaled her effort.

The 20-year-old Yin, who collected her maiden LPGA Tour title at the DIO Implant LA Open earlier this year, is only the second Chinese woman to win a golf major after Feng Shanshan, who grabbed the 2012 women's PGA title

"I was on the 18th tee and I saw the leaderboard, and I know I have a one-shot lead," said Yin. "After the tee shot, I saw Yuka make an incredible birdie here, and I know I have to make birdie at this hole to win the championship. I'm glad I did it."

Spain's Carlota Ciganda carded an astonishing seven-under par 64, with an eagle on the par-five seventh, to finish in a five-way tie for third place with Sweden's Anna Nordqvist, American Megan Khang, China's Lin Xiyu and Stephanie Meadow of Northern Ireland.

"I wanted to be aggressive today. I thought I could have a low round on this golf course," said Ciganda. "After the rain we had, I thought it was gettable, and I was trying to hit as many greens as possible."

American Rose Zhang (67), a home country favorite who dazzled earlier this month when she won on her pro debut on the LPGA Tour, kept her terrific year on track to finish tied for eighth in her first major as professional.

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"It's been incredible. I felt so much support and love from the crowds out here," she told reporters. "Safe to say it's super special, and I took it all in."

With Xinhua's inputs