Who Is Ruoning Yin’s Caddie?

The Chinese star currently has David Jones on her bag

Ruoning Yin and caddie David Jones
Ruoning Yin and her caddie David Jones at the CME Group Tour Championship in 2023
(Image credit: Getty Images)

When Ruoning Yin won the KPMG Women’s PGA, she did so with a caddie she’d only known for a few weeks, a veteran by the name of Jon Lehman.

That was in June 2023, and Yin, who was just 20 years at the time, had been with Lehman for just a couple of tournaments.

The pair were still working together at the US Women’s Open the following month, although it appears that some time after that Yin and Lehman parted company.

Come the end of the year, another veteran caddie by the name of David Jones had taken over duties on the bag.

Ruoning Yin

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Ulsterman has caddied for a number of big names on the LPGA Tour. He was on the bag for In Gee Chun when she won the 2016 Evian Championship and for Sung Hyun Park’s two Major titles at the 2017 US Women’s Open and 2018 KPMG Women’s PGA.

Jones, a former international and one-time professional, has also caddied for Lydia Ko.

Jones grew up in Derry, Northern Ireland, and started his caddying career on the European Tour (now DP World Tour) after which he made the switch to the LPGA Tour.

Caddie David Jones

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As well as caddying for a number of female players, Jones has also worked with some top male players, one of the most recent of which was three-time PGA Tour winner Nick Taylor.

A more than decent player himself, he says that caddying is the next best thing to coming down the stretch as a player.

His work ethic and professionalism have been highlighted by a number of former players, including Ko, who has worked with Jones on more than one occasion.

“I try and be more positive when I’m on the golf course, and he definitely helps me with that,” Ko said of Jones when they were working together in early 2023. “I think his knowledge with that playing background helps.” 

Michael Weston
Contributing editor

Michael has been with Golf Monthly since 2008. As a multimedia journalist, he has also worked for The Football Association, where he created content to support the men's European Championships, The FA Cup, London 2012, and FA Women's Super League. As content editor at Foremost Golf, Michael worked closely with golf's biggest equipment manufacturers, and has developed an in-depth knowledge of this side of the industry. He's now a regular contributor, covering instruction, equipment and feature content. Michael has interviewed many of the game's biggest stars, including six world number ones, and has attended and reported on many Major Championships and Ryder Cups. He's a member of Formby Golf Club.