Sensational Shin wins Women's British Open

September 17, 2012

http://www.cnn.com

September 16, 2012 — Updated 1948 GMT (0348 HKT)

(CNN) — South Korea’s Shin Jiyai carded a final-round 73 to seal an emphatic nine-stroke victory at the women’s British Open. Players were forced to play both the third and fourth rounds on Sunday after adverse weather conditions at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club had made play impossible on Friday.

Former world No. 1 Shin finished nine-under par for the tournament, with her closest rival, compatriot Park Inbee, finishing level par through 72 holes. American 2010 U.S. Open winner Paula Creamer  (right) was third on one over.

After carding a course record 64 on Saturday, Shin started the day five shots clear of the field.

Australia’s Karrie Webb reduced the gap to three strokes during the third round, played early on Sunday, but she was unable to prevent Shin clinching a second British Open triumph following her win in 2008.

The 24-year-old’s success means all four of this year’s majors have been won by Asian players. Sun-Young Yoo, also of South Korea, took the Kraft Nabisco Championship, while China’s Shanshan Feng won June’s LPGA Championship. South Korean Na Yeon Choi clinched the 2012 U.S. Open.

Teenage sensation Lydia Ko (above), who was born in South Korea but is a New Zealand national, stormed to her first LPGA Tour title last month, with much expected of the 15-year-old at Hoylake.

But the amateur endured a torrid final round and finished nine over for the tournament, in a six-way tie for 17th position.

Level with Ko was American rising star Lexi Thompson. The 17-year-old carded a level-par 72 for the final round.

One shot ahead of Ko and Thompson in a four-way tie for 13th was Michelle Wie. The two-time LPGA Tour winner closed out with a seven-over par 79.