(Shima-Mie, Japan)
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rnSouth Korea&aposs 20-year-old Ji-Yai Shin became the youngest winner of the Mizuno Classic on Sunday with rounds of 68, 66 and 67 for a 15-under par total 201, giving her a comfortable 6-stroke victory over Japan&aposs Mayu Hattori. Another South Korean Eun-A Lim was in outright third a further stroke back on 8-under par total 208.
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rnShin, who lost to Australia’s Karrie Webb in a playoff at this year’s MFS Women’s Australian Open at Kingston Heath, has had a stellar year including winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Sunningdale. She has also tasted victory seven times on the Korean LPGA including all the major championships to complete the KLPGA Grand Slam. Her spectacularly consistent play has seen her rise to No.8 on the Rolex Rankings and with this win she should move in to the Top-5 when the new rankings are released tomorrow.
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rnAfter opening rounds of 68 and 66, Shin went into the final round with a two-shot cushion over Hattori, the winner of last week’s winner Otsuka Kagu Ladies on the LPGA of Japan. For the third day in a row, it was a wet and cold day, further testament to the talent of this young South Korean. She started with birdies at the 2nd and 3rd holes to open up a four-shot lead but Hattori fought back with three birdies of her own at the 5th, 6th and 7th holes. However, Shin’s chip in for eagle at the 7th virtually put the result beyond doubt.
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rnHattori made her task nigh on impossible with a double bogey at the 12th to hand Shin a six-shot buffer, whereby she made further birdies on the 13th and 16th with her only bogey at the 15th to reach the winning score of 15-under par. After her round Shin was asked whether this was her best golf of the year, saying, “I think it was yesterday and today. This was just really comfortable. It just feels good this week. I am just really happy right now that I won.”
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rnLindsey Wright was the best of the Australians this week, finishing in a tie for 31st at 1-under par total 215. A slightly disappointing final round 3-over par 75 saw her slip from a tie for 9th heading into the last day. Nikki Campbell was the next best, finishing at 1-over par total 217 in a tie for 44th. Karrie Webb (T63) and Rachel Hetherington (T77) also competed.
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rnThe season of limited field events continues this week with the inaugural 36-player Lorena Ochoa Invitational by Banamex and Corona Light at Guadalajara Country Club. Qualifying through her superb play this season, Katherine Hull will be the sole Australian representative in this elite field, which features 15 of the Top-20 players on the Rolex Rankings.
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