THE BLOGRicoh Women’s British Open
Ji-Yai Shin was on the first fairway and on her way to winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
Although Sorenstam rolled in a 10-foot birdie for her final putt in a major to end with a 4-under 68, she was nowhere near finishing with a victory. The 37-year-old Swede, who will quit tournament golf at the end of the year to get married, start a family and focus on her business and other golf interests, tied for 24th at 6-under 282. Hours after Sorenstam walked up the 18th at the Ricoh Women’s British Open to a standing ovation and closed her final major with a birdie, Ji-Yai Shin won the last major of the year by three strokes after a final round 6-under 66 on Sunday.
Shin, a 20-year-old South Korean whose 21 previous victories were all in her homeland or Japan, maintained Asia’s recent domination of the majors on the LPGA Tour. In capturing her first major with an 18-under score of 270, she led an Asian sweep of the top five places. Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, winner of the LPGA Championship earlier this year, was second with a 66 and a 15-under total of 273, while Korea’s Eun Hee Ji (67) and Japanese third-round leader Yuri Fudoh (71) tied for third on 14 under. Japan’s Ai Miyazato (70) was fifth at 13-under 275, and 13 of the top 20 were from Asia.
Lorena Ochoa was left behind, too. The Mexican threatened the lead early in her final round but wound up tied for seventh with an 11-under 277 after a 69. She also acknowledges the Asian threat.
