No Playoff this Time for Shin


After having to go nine sudden-death playoff holes to beat Paula Creamer in last week's Kingsmill Championship in Virginia, Jiyai Shin had a much easier time of it in getting her second straight victory.

With the field playing 36 holes Sunday, the 24-year-old South Korean was unfazed, closing with a 71 and 73 to roll to a nine-stroke victory in the Women's British Open.

The $2.75 million Women's British Open, a major championship on the LPGA Tour, began Thursday at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England.

Shin had five birdies and four bogeys in the morning 18, while in the afternoon carded five birdies, three bogeys and a triple-bogey seven on the opening par-4. She finished at 9-under 279, the only player in the field to break par over 72 holes.

Despite her over-par score in the last round, Shin beat countrywoman Inbee Park by nine and third-place Creamer by 10. The victory was the 10th in Shin's career and her second in the Women's British Open; her first Open title came in 2008 at Sunningdale and was the first win of her career.

"It was a long, long, very tough day and I just focused on each single shot," Shin told reporters Sunday evening.

"Before I thought my skill was not good for links," Shin said in reference to her play on UK courses, "but finally I have great tempo in my swing and I think this course was made for me. After last week I had great confidence and I have great memories of this tournament."

After opening with a 71, Shin separated herself from the field with an 8-under 64 in the second round, which was played Saturday after Friday's round was canceled due to high winds.

Alone in fourth at 290 was Mika Miyazato, while sharing fifth another stroke back were So Yeon Ryu and Karrie Webb.

For all the scores, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx.