Shin shines in Singapore victory

3/8/2009

Jiyai Shin stormed to a superb two-stroke win over Katherine Hull in the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore

Seven adrift at halfway and still six behind with a round to go, the reigning British Women's Open champion shot a round of 66 for an 11-under-par total.

The South Korean, 20, fired six birdies to turn the heat up on overnight leader Hull, and the Australian wilted under pressure with a disappointing 74.

Defending champion Lorena Ochoa had to settle for a share of sixth place.
Shin, now with 26 professional wins to her name, birdied the first four holes and then picked up further strokes on the 11th and 15th.

Hull was four clear after turning in 34, but followed a bogey on the 10th by going out of bounds and running up a double bogey seven three holes later.
She dropped another stroke on the next, but a birdie at the 17th left her needing another to force a play-off.

Instead, however, the Australian Masters champion bogeyed to hand victory to Shin.

Joint third were Americans Paula Creamer and Angela Stanford and also Brazil's Angela Park.

The best of the British contingent was Karen Stupples, tied for 24th on level par.

Catriona Matthew (+5) shared 45th, Janice Moodie (+6) tied for 50th, Becky Morgan (+11) was 67th, and Laura Davies (+14) tied for 70th.

Leaderboard – Final:

1. Jiyai Shin                      KOR  72 73 66 66 277 -11
2. Katherine Hull                AUS  70 69 66 74 279 - 9
3. Angela Park                   BRA  67 76 69 68 280 - 8
    Paula Creamer               USA  67 71 72 70 280 - 8
    Angela Stanford             USA  69 72 66 73 280 - 8
6. Jane Park                      USA  67 71 73 70 281 - 7
    Lorena Ochoa                MEX  69 73 69 70 281 - 7
    Sun Young Yoo              KOR  71 69 68 73 281 - 7
9. Karrie Webb                   AUS  74 69 73 66 282 - 6
    Mi Hyun Kim                  KOR  71 68 70 73 282 - 6

Source: AP, LPGA