Teen Lin Xiyu leads way for new generation of Chinese golfers on US LPGA Tour

Victory can sometimes be found even in the face of defeat if you look at life the right way and Lin Xiyu is happy despite finishing tied for third at last weekend's US$550,000 Hyundai China Ladies Open.

"This is my best finish in this event," said Lin, who secured the China LPGA Tour Order of Merit title for 2014. "For the past month I played great, now I have won the money title. That's awesome."

The 18-year-old finished the event at Mission Hills Shenzhen with a wave to the crowd and a quick hug for her mother before setting off into planning for next year, confident she will continue her upward trajectory.

Lin came to the China Ladies Open fresh from a month that had seen her claim two titles - including a first win on the Ladies European Tour at the Sanya Ladies Open. August had seen a string of decent efforts lift her winnings in her first year on the US LPGA Tour to US$127,391, enough to ensure she retained her card for 2015.

"This year has been pretty tough for me," said Lin. "It's been the first year that I played on the [US] LPGA and so overall I played almost 30 weeks which is a lot.

"The first half of the year I wasn't going so well, but I came good in August and the results over that month ended up being enough for me to keep my card.