Professional athletes are skilled at handling unexpected setbacks. Pain, injuries, and health issues are part of the game. However, few handle these challenges with the same grace and positivity as Angel Yin. In late 2023, she suffered a serious injury while in Austria. She broke her left ankle, and it was severe enough to confine her to a wheelchair in early 2024. She had to withdraw from multiple tournaments, including the LPGA’s 2024 season opener. Her road back wasn’t straightforward either.
“I made a mistake by taking off my air cast every night for two weeks in Austria,” she admitted last year. “That was wrong. My doctor was not too happy.” This error significantly extended her rehabilitation timeline. The pain persisted even after she attempted to return to competition.
In April 2024, Yin withdrew from the Chevron Championship after carding a first-round 78. She experienced significant discomfort while walking the fairways. Her swing follow-through caused noticeable pain. Long flights seemed to exacerbate the condition. The timing was particularly devastating, as this was the same tournament where she had finished second in 2023—her best significant championship result alongside her T2 at the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open. Her recovery progressed steadily, and by September 2024, she had regained enough form to secure a top-10 finish at the AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews. This result marked a critical turning point in her comeback journey.
Now she’s back at Chevron, and after shooting an impressive first-round 69, her face showed no signs of struggle. Then came a surprising health-oriented revelation. “I think I have a gluten issue that I just figured out yesterday,” Yin shared with reporters. When asked to clarify, she added with her characteristic lightness and classic humor, “Gluten. It’s perfect because I’m from California, so everybody has that issue. It’s not a myth.” Her journey over the past year has been anything but easy.
Her 2025 season started with promising momentum. She secured a T18 finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Championship. Then came a 10th-place finish at the Founders Cup. These solid performances built confidence heading into the Asian swing. But even during her triumphant return, Yin has faced unexpected obstacles. At the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, she endured multiple setbacks simultaneously. Her regular caddie, Michelle Simpson, fell ill mid-tournament. The initial replacement attempt became a comedy of errors.
“My friend, who is my manager, tried and she almost fell over,” Yin recalled. “She weighs as much as the golf bag, so no way was that going to happen.” Despite shooting a bogey-free 68 in the second round, Yin herself fell ill. She reluctantly withdrew after two rounds.
Yin’s remarkable recovery journey has led to an impressive comeback on the LPGA Tour. Let’s examine how she transitioned from being wheelchair-bound to becoming a record-breaking champion.
Angel Yin’s triumphant on-course shenanigans
Yin’s comeback reached its pinnacle in February 2025 at the Honda LPGA Thailand. Her rounds of 67-64-64-65 broke multiple LPGA records. She finished at an astounding 28-under par, bettering Annika Sorenstam’s 2001 LPGA record of 261.
The victory came with additional challenges. Competing with a last-minute local caddie after her regular caddie fell ill, Yin faced intense pressure from Japanese rookie Akie Iwai’s final-round 61. Her response was decisive: three consecutive birdies on holes 13-15 to secure the win.
Currently ranked 2nd in the Race to CME Globe standings with 897.800 points, Yin has earned over $500,000 in just seven starts this season. Her statistics reflect her elite form—5th on tour in Strokes Gained Total and 13th in Strokes Gained Putting.
As she continues in The Chevron Championship, Yin’s mental fortitude remains her greatest asset. Finding light in every challenge, the resilient Californian approaches each obstacle with remarkable perspective. What’s next for this comeback story? Only time will tell.
The post After Overcoming Ankle Woes, LPGA’s Angel Yin Admits New Health Challenges: ‘It’s Not a Myth’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.
