‘I’m Lucky’: Ruoning Yin Sheds Truth About Loneliness as Mental Health Concerns Remains an Unaddressed Tour Villian

Lexi Thompson, Charley Hull, Jenny Shin, and So Yeon Ryu. What do all of these LPGA Tour Pros have in common? Well, they are but some of the names on the women’s circuit who have had their fair share of experiences when it comes to mental health struggles. And now, another golfer has come out candid on the difficulties one faces on Tour, none other than Ruoning Yin, Atthaya Thitikul’s teammate.

The two had teamed up with each other and emerged victorious at the 2024 Dow Championship. Case in point; The golfer was spotted revealing the details of the difficulties one faces while playing on the women’s circuit and Thitikul couldn’t help but agree to the same.

Ruoning Yin comes out candid on the struggles on Tour

“I think, like you said, playing on Tour is very lonely,” admitted the Chinese golfer when queried about the same in an interview. However, Yin pointed out how fortunate she is when it comes to that department as she revealed, “I’m lucky to have my parents with me.” The golfer then turned her attention toward her teammate, Thitikul.

She highlighted how different of a case it is with Thitikul. Although the player has her caddie, Gong Banpot, and her manager traveling with her at all times, the absence of others during events paints another picture. Regardless of everything, the Chinese pro expressed her desire to stay by her teammate’s side when she said, “As a friend, I want to just let her know I’m by her side, and whenever you need me, just call me.” After all of this was said, the 21-year-old Thai golfer herself made an emotional face before laughing it away. She didn’t deny any of the issues that were stated by her fellow golfer.

But then curiosity naturally arises on how the two became friends. When asked about the same to the duo, Yin took up the charge and recounted their first encounter. “I would say the last year, November because we were having Callaway shooting together. That was the first time we go out for dinner and we chat a lot.” The Thai golfer had signed with the equipment manufacturer company back in 2022 while Yin had done so soon after she turned pro.

While the two did divulge the details surrounding the loneliness pros feel as they play on the circuit, one can’t help but get reminded of the various golfers who went through the same. Enter the likes of Charley Hull, and Lexi Thompson, the latter of whom even announced her retirement while shining light on the difficulties.

Thompson and Hull also survived mental health struggles like Yin

“Being out here can be overwhelming. It can feel lonely,” said Thompson when talking about her retirement. Although the American pro hasn’t outrightly confirmed it to be a cause for the same, she did speak honestly on how hard she had it on Tour. The golfer also added how golf is a never-ending journey of lessons when she said, “It’s always an ongoing challenge and learning process. So it’s a matter of giving yourself grace in those hard times and not getting too hard on yourself. There will be great days and some bad days as well.” 

Hull, meanwhile, revealed back in July 2023 how she had been diagnosed with ADHD. The golfer, consequently, had taken a four-week break from the game to address her issues while focusing on her recovery. The Englishwoman, surprisingly, disclosed her struggles after her comeback to the course at the U.S. Women’s Open as she said, “I know my triggers now because I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, quite severely. I can understand now why sometimes I get bored on the golf course. I feel a lot better now.” Well, the community can only hope that the athletes including Ruoning Yin and Thitikul take proper care and break from the game just like how Hull did when she encountered the issues.