'I grew up in a very normal, Asian household' - Pro golfer Angel Yin 

KUALA LUMPUR - American professional golfer Angel Yin was just six-years-old when she picked up golf and propelled herself to professional status by 17.

Many might assume that her formative years were ordinary, but Yin described her childhood as “very Chinese, very Asian”.

“I used to play the piano and violin, but then my mum sent me to play golf because I wanted to.

“It was pretty normal, but golf occupied a lot of my time, so I didn’t really get to do other things in life which I don’t have any regrets.

“I turned pro at 17 and I’ve been playing pro ever since,” she said in an interview with Sinar Daily.

However, she revealed that her father never entirely agreed with her decision to pursue golf.

“My dad never supported me in playing golf, so it was just me and my mum,” she added.

Yin, who won the Buick LPGA Shanghai recently, defeating compatriot and Rolex World Rankings No. 1 Lilia Vu, said mental toughness is key to success.

“You can play as good as you want, but if you mentally break, you’ll never be that good.

“I think the people who always play really well and finish well, they are mentally strong,” she added.

The 25-year-old is in town for the 2023 LPGA Maybank Championship held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club which kicked off yesterday and will span until Sunday, Oct 29.

The event will feature 68 professional golfers, with ten additional seats reserved for Malaysian and Asean players in this no-cut event.

The tournament format enables each player to earn a share of the prize money over the four days.

This marks the LPGA's long-awaited return to women's professional golf on the course after a six-year hiatus.