Shin Ji-yai wins Japan Women's Open, completes career grand slam with 30th JLPGA title

Posts 4-under-par 66 in final round to force playoff

Becomes first Korean to earn JLPGA lifetime exemption

Shin Ji-yai claimed victory at the Japan Women's Open Golf Championship (purse 150 million yen, $949,000), securing her 30th career win on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association tour and completing a career grand slam by sweeping all four of the tour's major titles.

Shin finished Sunday at Takarazuka Golf Club (par 70) in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, with a total score of 11-under-par 269, drawing level with Japan's Kuwaki Shiho — winner of the AIG Women's Open in August — to share the lead after 72 holes.

The two players matched pars through the first and second extra holes at the 18th (par 4) before Shin pulled away from Kuwaki on the third playoff hole to claim the trophy and the winner's prize of 30 million yen.

The victory was Shin's first of the season and her first since winning the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup — a JLPGA major — in May last year, a gap of one year and five months. It came in her 336th JLPGA tour start.

The 30th win earned Shin a lifetime exemption on the JLPGA tour, making her only the seventh player in tour history to receive the honor. She is the second foreign player to earn a JLPGA lifetime exemption, after Tu Ai-yu of Taiwan, who won 58 titles.

Shin had previously won the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup twice, the Tour Championship Ricoh Cup twice and the JLPGA Championship once. Sunday's Japan Women's Open title completed the set, making her the first player in JLPGA history to win all four of the tour's major championships.

After the grueling playoff, Shin broke down in tears.

"It really was a long day. I've never cried after winning before, but I'm truly happy this time," she said in a televised interview. "I desperately wanted to win this tournament because it would give me a lifetime exemption. I'm so happy and grateful that I'll finally have it starting next year," she added.

She also reflected on the playoff battle. "Everyone knew Kuwaki has been playing brilliantly lately. I thought if I was within three strokes at the turn, I'd have a chance on the back nine. I was able to stay patient and play my own game," she said.

Shin also addressed questions about her age. "I said in yesterday's interview that I wanted to stop talking about age, and this win makes me feel I can keep going regardless of how old I am," she said. "I've made my mark in Japanese golf history, and I'll keep pushing forward without stopping."

With the victory, Shin became the first Korean player to earn a JLPGA lifetime exemption, cementing her place as a legend of Korean women's golf.

hope@heraldcorp.com