Jiyai Shin has clinched the Women&aposs Australian Open with a two-shot win as teen sensation Lydia Ko faltered in Canberra on Sunday. A one-under 72 in the final round was enough for the South Korean, who finished the four-round tournament at the Royal Canberra Golf Club at 18 under. World number one Yani Tseng made a late charge with a stunning seven-under 66, but ended up two shots adrift. New Zealander Ko, 15, could only manage a three-over 76 to finish third at 14 under after being in contention throughout the tournament and level with Shin heading into the final day. The amateur, winner of the New Zealand Women&aposs Open last week, double bogeyed the first hole and a five at the par-four second left her playing catch up. Ko recovered with a pair of birdies at four and five but another three bogeys proved costly as Shin&aposs consistency told in the end. Two-time major winner Shin, 24, birdied the first hole before bogeys at five and 12, but further birdies at the 14th and 15th saw her to victory. While the day belonged to Shin, Tseng stormed into contention in thrilling fashion despite bogeying the opening hole. It would be her only blemish as three straight birdies were followed by an eagle at the sixth hole before another three birdies after the turn resulted in her runner-up finish. Thai Moriya Jutanugarn and Spaniard Beatriz Recari shared fourth at 13 under. Katherine Hull-Kirk was the best-placed Australian, tied for eighth at 11 under, while Sarah Jane Smith (tied for 15th at eight under) was ahead of Rebecca Artis and Whitney Hillier (tied for 18th at seven under). At six under and tied for 28th were Ashlee Dewhurst, Stacey Keating and amateur Su-Hyun Oh. Four-time champion Karrie Webb was even-par in the final round to finish at five under, alongside Courtney Massey and Kristie Smith.
Author: Omnisport