Ji-Yai Shin won the Women's British Open by three strokes after a final round six-under 66 today to maintain Asia's domination of the majors on the LPGA Tour.
The 20-year-old South Korean, whose 21 previous victories were all in her homeland or Japan, captured her first major after an 18-under score of 270. Taiwan's Yani Tseng, winner of the LPGA Championship, was second with a 66 and a 15-under total of 273.
"This morning I was very nervous but I focused on my game and now I won so I am happy," said Shin, who has now received an invitation to join the LPGA Tour. "My dream's come true now.
"I was planning to play in Japan but maybe now I change my plans and play in America," said Shin, who led an Asian top five.
Australia's Karrie Webb saved her best round of the tounament until the final round, finishing with a four-under 68 to place equal ninth on 10-under 278.
Korea's Eun Hee Ji (67) and Japan's third round leader Yuri Fudoh (71) tied for third on 14-under. Ai Miyazato (70) of Japan placed fifth on 13-under 275 in a tournament which was Annika Sorenstam's major farewell.
The Swede, who is quitting tournament golf at the end of the year to get married, start a family and focus on her business and other golf interests, finished with a 10-foot birdie putt for a 68 and a 6-under 282, which left her tied for 24th.
"I'm going to miss it, no doubt about it," said Sorenstam, who has won 10 majors in her 14-year career, including this one in 2003 at Royal Lytham.
"To finish with a birdie was special. There didn't seem to be any doubt it was going in."
Defending champion Lorena Ochoa tied for seventh after a 69 for an 11-under 277. Although she added the Kraft Nabisco as her second major this year, the Mexican is disappointed with only two majors in two years.
"I think it could be better," said Ochoa.
"I'm always trying to win more than one but this is what happened this year and I'm really disappointed."
Shin, who had to wipe the rain off her spectacles during the early part of her round, made up a one-stroke deficit on Fudoh with a birdie at the fifth and then opened up a lead at the turn.
Fudoh found a bunker at the ninth, splashed out to another and took a bogey 5 while Shin tapped in a short birdie putt after her second shot left the ball three-feet from the flag.
With the rain showers gone, Shin moved two ahead with another birdie at the 10th. And then came a killer putt at 13 that pushed her three clear of her rivals. From 45 feet, she had the strength and line just right as it curled in from the left and dropped in.
Shin went to the last with her three-shot lead and, even when her second shot found a greenside bunker, there was no sign of panic.
Shin pitched out to four feet and she made that to complete her bogey-free round.
