Yin eyes longer stay, hopes to do a Shanshan

DUBAI — Now that Angel Yin has won the Omega Dubai Ladies Classic, the American will most definitely pencil in a longer stay in Dubai, the next time she’s here.

The 19-year-old went on to win her first professional event on the tour when she clinched the deal in a dramatic two-segment play-off at the Majlis Course of the Emirates Golf Club on Saturday.

It was indeed the icing on the cake for Angel but for the Los Angeles resident, who was bursting with energy and an infectious smile, the sights of Dubai has left her wanting more.

“We went to the Dubai Mall and we walked in there and I was like, I could spend a good three days there, like just stay there and just go in the mall. It’s huge,” a giggling Angel said, sitting beside the gleaming new ‘Dallah’ — the Arabic Coffee Pot trophy.

“I mean, I really want to come next time when I come to Dubai, I want to come earlier and sightsee. Last year, I came straight from Tour School, so I didn’t have much time and I left right away because I decided to play in this China event. This year, there are no events, but I don’t know what I did, I just booked my flights wrong. I should have stayed longer. This place is awesome,” she added.

About the win, she said: “I feel amazing. Actually my first major tour professional win, so this is big for me.

Her previous wins have come on min-tour events when she started out. “This is a very meaningful win,” said Angel.

And she said it couldn’t have been any better than winning it through a thrilling and dramatic playoff. “Yes, I couldn’t have asked for a better one. That playoff, I think it just added a boost. I didn’t want a playoff but obviously it’s awesome to have a playoff and play with IK (In-Kyung Kim). That shot on 18 was nice. She (Kim) stuck it,” Angel said.

The Omega Dubai Ladies Classic has been freshly-minted No.1 Shanshan Feng’s to keep with the Chinese winning it four times over the past five years.

And Angel, who is of Chinese origin, was training her guns on emulating Feng. “For her to win this many times, I was like, I’m going to do that. Yeah, kind of gives you that push. Of course, I’ll be coming back. Of course I want to see the LET people, too,” she said.

james@khaleejtimes.com

Next time when i come to Dubai, i want to come earlier and sightsee

Angel Yin