(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Young-ho = Shin Ji-ae (38) reached the top of the Japan Women's Open Golf Championship (total prize money of 150 million yen), achieving a total of 30 wins on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf (JLPGA) Tour and completing the 'Career Grand Slam' of sweeping all four major tournaments in Japan.
Ji-ae Shin recorded 4 under par 66 in the fourth round on the final day of the Japan Women's Open Championship, a major Japanese women's golf tournament, held at Takarazuka Golf Club (par 70) in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan on the 4th.
Shin Ji-ae, who recorded a final total of 11 under par 269 strokes, tied for first place with Japan's Shiho Kuwaki, winner of the AIG Women's Open, a major women's golf tournament last August.
Shin Ji-ae, who entered into a playoff match with Kuwaki on the 18th hole (par 4), recorded par in the first and second rounds of the extension and ran parallel, then caught a birdie in the third extension, beating Kuwaki, who only made par, and won the championship trophy and prize money of 30 million yen (about 250 million won).
As a result, Ji-ae Shin not only won this season's Masugeolgi, but also added the number of wins a year and five months after winning the World Ladies Championship Salon Pas Cup, a major tournament in May of last year, and won her 30th career win in her 336th tournament on the JLPGA Tour.
Shin Ji-ae, who broke the 30-win mark, became the 7th player in JLPGA Tour history to obtain a permanent seed.
This is the second time that a foreign player has received a permanent seed on the JLPGA Tour, after Tu Ai-yu (Taiwan, 58 wins).
Ji-ae Shin won the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup (2 wins), the Tour Championship Ricoh Cup (2 wins), the JLPGA Championship (1 win), and finally the Japan Women's Open Championship, achieving a 'career grand slam' by winning all four major tournaments for the first time in JLPGA tour history.
The final round of the day took place in the rain.
Shin Ji-ae, who entered the fourth round two strokes behind leader Kuwaki, caught her first birdie in the second hole (par 3), but fell into a bunker in the third hole (par 4) and recorded a bogey, and bounced back by dropping a 3m birdie putt in the fourth hole (par 5).
Shin Ji-ae succeeded in a 15m long putt in the 13th hole (par 4), which opened up a 3-stroke lead, and put her third shot 1m from the hole in the 14th hole (par 5), reducing the gap with Kuwaki to 1 stroke with two consecutive birdies.
Shin Ji-ae dropped her third shot at the 17th hole (par 5) 50cm right next to the hole and completed a birdie, finally tying with Kuwaki and going into overtime.
Shin Ji-ae and Kuwaki made par in the first and second overtimes, continuing the tense atmosphere.
Finally, in the third extension, Shin Ji-ae dropped a 4m birdie putt to beat Kuwaki, who only got par, and completed the win.
Shin Ji-ae, who won the championship after a tough extended fight, shed tears of joy.
Shin Ji-ae shed tears in an interview broadcast on local TV, saying, "It was a really long day. I've never cried after winning, but this time I'm really happy."
He said, "I really wanted to win because if I win this tournament, I will get a permanent seed. I am really happy and grateful that I will finally receive a permanent seed starting next year."
He continued, "We all knew that Kuwaki was showing excellent play recently. I thought that if we were within 3 strokes in the first half, there would be a chance in the second half. I was able to persevere and play my game properly."
Shin Ji-ae said, "I said in an interview yesterday that I wanted to stop talking about my age, but with this win, I feel like I can continue regardless of my age," and added, "I will remain in the history of Japanese golf, and I will continue to work hard without stopping."
