Yin Xiaowen competes in the women's golf competition at China's 14th National Games in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province on September 23, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)
16-year-old Yin Xiaowen has turned into China's best hope in women's golf.
By Zhang Yuanshinan and Wang Jingyu
BEIJING, Nov.2 (Xinhua) -- Yin Xiaowen will never forget the night she was ordered to practice putting even after her golf club closed, with only the lights from her father's car illuminating the green.
"I was really bored and annoyed at that moment," Yin recalled emotionally. "But when I realized I had made progress one day, I came to understand his decision and was full of gratitude."
Yin, who turns 17 next month, inherited her sporting talent from her parents. Her father Yin Jianhua was an amateur footballer for years and good at long-distance running, while her mother Zhang Chunyuan enjoyed badminton, tennis and swimming.
Yin Xiaowen picked up a golf club for the first time when she was seven. The "whoosh" and "ping" of the club hitting the ball has been the soundtrack to her life ever since.
"Golf gives me a uniquely different feeling from any other sport. I enjoy hitting the ball far very much," said Yin.
File picture of childhood Yin Xiaowen in a competition. (Xinhua)
In her first few months of playing golf, Yin unexpectedly won a children's invitational event. Her passion for the game grew rapidly and then she decided to receive formal golf training - two hours every day.
At 10, Yin went to the United States for professional training and attended the Feng Shanshan Golf School in 2016. As the intensity of her training increased, the sport gradually dominated her life, even on holidays.
Once Yin's mother took her to Tokyo's Disneyland Park. At the end of the day, she urged her mother to leave as she didn't want to skip her daily training.
"Training and studying have constituted almost her whole life over the years. She took a day off only every two weeks," Yin's mother said.
File picture of childhood Yin Xiaowen in practice. (Xinhua)
Years of hard work laid a solid foundation for Yin's steady improvement. In July last year, Yin became the youngest winner in China LPGA Tour history with a five-stroke victory in the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge.
At Beijing Orient Pearl Country Club this year, Yin created more history when she won the Ladies Challenge to become the first and youngest-ever three-time champion on the China LPGA Tour.
"I am happy to be the first amateur to win three times on the Tour, but I still have much work to do. Feng Shanshan is the role model for all Chinese players. Hopefully one day I can pick up the baton and win honor for my homeland like her," said Yin.
With her driver swing distance reaching 280 yards, Yin already can match any of the world-class female golfers.
File picture of Yin Xiaowen at eight years old. (Xinhua)
Despite her young age, Yin has a profound understanding of the sport.
"The difference between high-level athletes is small. What matters is the psychological condition," said Yin.
"During a four-day event, I feel nothing on day one, but a bit stressed on day two. On the third day, tensions surge if I stay ahead. It is on the final day when 'buzzer-beaters' appear, and I feel very nervous that I will be overtaken at any time."
"But this process full of pressure and uncertainty is where the charm of golf is, I think," she added.
Talking about her future, Yin has two goals - one is to officially qualify for the LPGA as a professional; the other is to represent China at next year's Asian Games in Hangzhou.
"I admit that I have some talent in golf, but I'm not sure how far I can go on this pathway," Yin said.
"Needless to say, it is a choice with complications for me to be an athlete in this field, but the only thing I can ensure is that I will keep it up no matter what results I get." ■