Yin Ruoning shoots 65 to win in Malaysia. She holds off Jeeno Thitikul, who finishes runner-up again

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Starting her final round in a three-way tie for the lead, Yin Ruoning shot a 7-under 65 on Sunday to win the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia by one stroke for her second title this month.

Yin, of China, finished at 23-under 265 after a safe two-putt on the final hole. She held off Thai player Jeeno Thitikul (66), who was also runner-up at last year's event after losing the second longest playoff in LPGA Tour history.

Yin had a dominant six-shot win at LPGA Shanghai earlier this month and also won the Dow Championship in June, where she partnered with Thitikul.

“I had such great year last year, I was wondering if I can win again, what if I can’t, such things," Yin said. "But I think I just really learned that I just need to enjoy myself out here and have fun, happy, so that’s what I do.”

South Korea's Haeran Ryu shot a 67 and was two shots behind Yin. American Bailey Tardy, who equaled the best score of the round at 65, and second-round leader Maja Stark (70) of Sweden were tied for fourth at 16-under 272.

Hannah Green, who earned her third victory of 2024 and sixth of her career last week in South Korea, also had a 65 to finish sixth at 15-under 273. She was tied with American Marina Alex (69), Hsu Wei-Ling (68) and Choi Hye-Jin (66).

Defending champion Celine Boutier of France was 11 strokes behind Yin after a 72 and finished tied for 12th.

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Celine Boutier, of France, hits from a fairway bunker at the 3rd fairway during the first round of Maybank LPGA Championship golf tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Bailey Tardy of the United States watches her fairway shot on the third hole during the second round of Maybank LPGA Championship golf tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Maja Stark of Sweden watches her fairway shot on the third hole during the second round of Maybank LPGA Championship golf tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Ryu Haeran of South Korea's, watches her fairway shot on the 14th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Jean Thitikul of Thailand, watches her tee shot on the 16th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Ryu Haeran of South Korea's, right, watches her fairway shot on the 14th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China watches her tee shot on the 16th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China lines up a putt on on the 17th hole during the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China, centre, celebrates on the 18th hole after winning the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China celebrates with his caddie on the 18th hole after winning the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China kisses the trophy during the awards ceremony after winning the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Yin Ruoning of China holds the winning trophy during the awards ceremony after winning the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Ruoning Yin of China's watches her fairway shot on the third hole during the second round of Maybank LPGA Championship golf tournament at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club in Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lynn Williams and Lindsey Horan scored minutes apart in the second half and the United States rallied to beat Iceland 3-1 on Sunday.

Forward Emma Sears made her debut for the United States as a second-half substitute and scored in stoppage time. She also had an assist, becoming the first player with a goal and an assist in her first national team game.

“We don't want to lose, we don't like losing. The U.S. mentality is we're going to bring it, we're going to claw, we're going to fight, we're going to come back,” Williams said. “So yes we were down, but I believe in us, we all believe in ourselves, and that's what it takes to win.”

The United States also defeated Iceland 3-1 on Thursday in Austin in the first of the three matches on home soil. The Americans play Argentina on Wednesday in Louisville, Kentucky.

The matches are the first for the United States since the team won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics this past summer.

Karolína Lea Vilhjalmsdottir scored on a corner kick to give Iceland the lead in the 31st minute. U.S. goalkeeper Casey Murphy leaped to get her fingertips on the ball, but it got past her and bounced into the goal after hitting the far post.

It was the first time the United States had trailed in 12 games under coach Emma Hayes.

The Americans had a good chance in the 62nd minute but Iceland goalkeeper Cecilía Ran Runarsdottir dove to push away Horan’s free kick. But Williams broke through in the 72nd minute to tie the game before Horan’s goal 3:45 later.

“It's honestly hard to find the words right now,” Sears said about her goal to cap the scoring. “This feels super surreal to not only be surrounded by such amazing people but also players that I've looked up to for so many years. I super honored to have been invited to this camp and to learn and grow in this environment.”

The United States recognized defender Kelley O'Hara with a halftime ceremony. O'Hara announced earlier this year that she was retiring. Her final professional season with Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League this year was cut short by injury.

The team also honored Mallory Swanson before the game for her 100th appearance for the United States. Her husband, Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, was on hand for the ceremony.

Swanson's 100th game was the gold-medal match against Brazil at the Olympics. Swanson scored the lone goal in the 1-0 victory.

Among those missing from the U.S. squad for the three matches was Trinity Rodman, who was recovering from a back injury, and Crystal Dunn, who was absent for a personal commitment.

The U.S. will close out the year with a pair of matches in Europe. They play England at Wembley on Nov. 30 before facing the Netherlands in the Hague on Dec. 3.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Iceland forward Hlín Eiríksdóttir, right, keeps United States midfielder Korbin Albert, left, from the ball during the first half of an international friendly women's soccer match Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Iceland goalkeeper Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir (1) blocks a shot by United States forward Mallory Swanson (not shown) during the first half of an international friendly women's soccer match Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

United States defender Emily Sams (12) gets a header in front of Iceland forward Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir, left, during the first half of an international friendly women's soccer match Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)