(4 May 2010 – Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, Japan)
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After Top-5&aposs in her three starts on the LPGA of Japan this year, Korea&aposs Jiyai Shin broke through for her first title at the Cyber Agent Ladies Golf Tournament on Sunday. It was not only the title and winner’s cheque she secured, but she also acquired the status of World No.1 from the retiring Lorena Ochoa. Her victory margin was two shots over the Japanese duo of Akane Iijima and Miho Koga.
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rnShin began the day at 2-under par, four shots behind Chie Arimura with a host of players also in the mix, including Australia’s Tamie Durdin who began the day on 3-under par. Unfortunately for Tamie she couldn’t get anything going with three bogeys on the front nine. She steadied on the back nine finishing with a 1-over par 73 and a tie for 9th.
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rnAfter nine holes Shin had made three birdies and no bogeys to make up one shot on Arimura, who looked in control at 8-under par after 12 holes. However, a couple of groups ahead, Shin made her move with back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th holes to move to 7-under. She assumed the lead shortly thereafter when Arimura made a double-bogey at the 14th. Arimura followed up with bogeys at both 16 and 17 to virtually hand the trophy to Shin who added a sixth birdie for the day at the 17th to move to an unassailable 8-under score.
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rnAfterwards, when questioned about her new ranking as the World No.1, the unassuming Shin said, “It means a lot to become the first Asian player to be the World’s No.1, but I’m sure I will face enormous pressure and concerns because of that status.”
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rnApart from Durdin, Nikki Campbell rocketed home to post a final round of 6-under par 66 to finish at Even par and in a tie for 12th. Susie Mathews missed the cut. Campbell slipped to 16th on the Money List while Durdin moved up to 42nd.
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Photos by Paul Melville – ALPG