Cover Golfer and Rolex Testimonee Yin Ruoning in her element
Golfer and Rolex Testimonee Yin Ruoning in her element
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As the youngest Chinese golfer to reach World No. 1, Yin Ruoning reflects on her journey to the top as she continues the nearly century‑long legacy of Rolex’s partnership with sports legends
For almost 100 years, Rolex has walked alongside some of the world’s greatest athletes, honouring and championing them not only in their moments of triumph, but also throughout their entire sporting journeys. In the realm of golf, these partnerships began in 1967 when legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, collectively known as The Big Three, became the sport’s first Rolex Testimonees, forging a legacy that redefines the recognition and celebration of excellence in sport.
Today, Rolex Testimonees of a new generation are making their mark in sporting history. One of them is the 22‑year‑old Chinese golfer Yin Ruoning, better known as Ronni, who arrives at the Rolex Suite in Sentosa Golf Club for this interview in February fresh off a practice session for the HSBC Women’s World Championship and radiating a quiet confidence that belies her youth—a reflection of the challenges and experiences that have shaped her remarkable success on the fairway.
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Above Golfer and Rolex Testimonee Yin Ruoning in her element
Golfer and Rolex Testimonee Yin Ruoning in her element
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The prodigy claimed her first major victory at the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and then ascended to world number one in September 2023, solidifying her place among the sport’s elite. Her rise has been nothing short of meteoric. From dominating the China LPGA Tour early in her professional career to conquering the global stage, Yin’s upward trajectory is a testament to her discipline and determination.
Reflecting on her milestone triumph at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, which made her only the second Chinese woman to win a major, Yin says: “Winning a major is truly special, especially since there was only one Chinese player before me who did it. [The achievement] has given me a lot of confidence and made me believe in myself—that I’m capable of competing on this tour and against the [best] players.”
Above Yin after winning the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
Yin after winning the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
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But Yin’s extraordinary journey has not been without its challenges and 2024 was a particularly difficult year. “At the start of last year, I got injured and I was really stressed because 2023 was such a successful season for me. Going into 2024, there was obviously more attention and expectations. All the fans wanted me to win more [tournaments] and that really stressed me out. I struggled to play well at the beginning of the season because I kept worrying about where my shots would go,” she shares.
Even so, those tough times have kept her grounded. “I just realised that I really love golf,” Yin says. “I really love this game. I really love to compete. I really love to just play golf with my friends on the course. Even if that’s my job. When I realised that, nothing else mattered. I was just happy to be there.”
As she continues to evolve as an athlete, Yin emphasises the importance of focusing on the journey rather than just the results. “If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it’d be to enjoy the process,” she says. “When I was young, I was really competitive. I still am now, but I’ve learnt that sometimes, you can learn more from failure than from success. I think the process is more important than the result. In golf, you can do everything right, but still [face setbacks]. But if you focus on getting better, even just by 1 per cent every day, that’s good. Because 1 per cent every day means you’ll be 365 per cent better in a year. It’s all about believing in that process.”
Yin’s unwavering determination and continuous quest for improvement have earned her a place among sporting legends as a Rolex Testimonee since 2024, a partnership she is particularly excited about due to her passion for watches. For this interview, she wears a stunning Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in white gold, which she reveals is a piece she has long admired. “I’m a watch person. I love watches. When you think about Rolex, you think about Tiger [Woods], Scottie [Scheffler] and all the [other] big names. You think about quality,” Yin says. “For me, being part of this community of excellence is really special.”
Not only has Rolex been a part of the journey of such legendary athletes, the Swiss watchmaker has also been a big advocate for women’s golf since 1980, when it first partnered with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA)—a relationship that has endured for more than four decades as the LPGA celebrates its historic 75th anniversary this year. “I see Rolex as a symbol of excellence, and I believe that Rolex’s support for women’s golf will help validate our sport and empower all players,” Yin says.
Poised to become as influential as the golfing greats she admires, Yin is acutely aware of the impact she has on the next generation of golfers. In fact, she has already seen that influence take shape. “When I played in Shanghai last year, a lot of junior golfers came out to watch. They said, ‘Ronni, you’re my idol!’ I used to be just like them when I was a kid. And I still feel like I’m a kid right now,” she recalls with a smile, adding that the impact goes both ways. “They inspire and motivate me to do better; to just try to do my best on and off the course, and be a good role model for them. I hope I can help make golf in China more accessible. I think if I keep winning, everything will fall into place. You can’t make an impact if you’re nobody; [to make a difference,] you have to be in a position where everyone can see you.”
As Yin continues her ascent, her goals remain clear, but she is not fixated on achievements and accolades. “I just focus on my golf technique because I believe that if my game is on point, I can win [more],” she says. “I just need to keep improving. I do want to be more consistent—that’s my first goal. The second is to improve my driving accuracy. Like I said, I just aim to be better every day. Everything will come together.”
Credits
Images: Rolex; PGA of America (Yin with trophy)
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
