Lexi Thompson, Charley Hull, Jenny Shin, and So Yeon Ryu—all prominent LPGA Tour pros—have openly discussed their struggles with mental health. Joining them now is Ruoning Yin, who, along with her teammate Atthaya Thitikul, won the 2024 Dow Championship. Yin recently spoke candidly about the difficulties of life on tour, and Thitikul echoed her sentiments.

Ruoning Yin and Atthaya Thitikul teamed up and emerged victorious at the 2024 Dow Championship. During the event, Yin openly discussed the challenges of playing on the women’s circuit, and Thitikul wholeheartedly agreed with her.

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 during the winners’ press conference 2024 Dow Championship. However, Yin noted her good fortune in this regard, revealing, “I’m lucky to have my parents with me.” The golfer then turned her attention toward her teammate, Thitikul.

Yin highlighted how different Thitikul’s situation is. Although Thitikul has her caddie, Gong Banpot, and her manager traveling with her, the absence of other companions during events is noticeable. Despite this, Yin expressed her desire to support her teammate, saying, “As a friend, I want to just let her know I’m by her side, and whenever you need me, just call me.” The 21-year-old Thai golfer made an emotional face before laughing it off, acknowledging the issues raised by her fellow golfer.

Curiosity naturally arises about how the two became friends. When asked, Yin recounted their first encounter saying, “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 signed with the equipment manufacturer company in 2022, while Yin did so shortly after turning pro.

While Ruoning Yin and Thitikul shed light on the loneliness experienced by golfers on the circuit, their experiences resonate with others who have faced similar challenges. Notable figures like Charley Hull and Lexi Thompson come to mind, with Thompson even announcing her retirement while candidly discussing 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 reflecting on her retirement. While she didn’t explicitly cite loneliness as the sole reason, she spoke honestly about the challenges she faced on Tour. Thompson emphasized golf as a continuous learning process, stating, “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, on the other hand, disclosed in July 2023 that she had been diagnosed with ADHD. This diagnosis prompted her to take a four-week hiatus from the game to focus on her recovery. Returning to the course at the U.S. Women’s Open, the Englishwoman shared, “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.