S. Korea’s Jiyai wins Women’s British Open

Final leaderboard* -9: J Shin (Kor)* Par: I Park (Kor)* +1: P Creamer (US)* +2: M Miyazatyo (Jpn)

Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Jiyai Shin made six birdies and an eagle Saturday to build a five-shot lead after two rounds. Net photo.

Final leaderboard* -9: J Shin (Kor)* Par: I Park (Kor)* +1: P Creamer (US)* +2: M Miyazatyo (Jpn)Women’s major winners 2012* Kraft Nabisco Championship: Sun-Young Yoo (South Korea)* LPGA Championship: Shashan Feng (China)* US Women’s Open: Na Yeon Choi (South Korea)* Women’s British Open: Shin Jiyai (South Korea)LIVERPOOL – Shin Jiyai claimed her second Women’s British Open title in style, winning by nine shots at Hoylake.With Friday’s high winds forcing two rounds to be played on Sunday, the South Korean began the final day with a five-shot advantage. That was cut to three by Australian Karrie Webb after the third round.But, as Webb capitulated, a one-over-par round of 73 was enough for Shin to take victory ahead of compatriot Inbee Park, who finished on level par.The 24-year-old’s victory on the marathon 36-hole final day completed a landmark year for women’s golf, one in which all four majors were won by players from Asia."It was a long, long, very tough day and I just focused on each single shot,” said Shin."Before I thought my skill was not good for links, but finally I have great tempo in my swing and I think this course was made for me.A second-round 64, the best round of the week by four shots, gave Shin a sizeable lead going into the final day.But she saw her lead cut to just one shot after 10 holes, only to respond by birdieing the next three.The former world number one then started her final round with a triple bogey seven, but Webb dropped four shots in the first three holes to effectively end her challenge.With Shin now pulling away from the field, a torrential downpour looked like it might send the tournament to a Monday finish.