Shin Ji-yai Wins Wegmans LPGA by 7 Strokes

Shin Ji-yai

Shin Ji-yai, South Korea's top golfer, picked up her fifth title in 11 months with a seven-stroke victory at the Wegmans LPGA Sunday, according to The Associated Press.

Shin, 21, shot a 1-under 71 to finish at 17-under 271. Kristy McPherson and Yani Tseng each shot a 66, the day's best score, to surge into a second-place tie at 10under.

One behind were Japan's Mika Miyazato (71) and rookies Haeji Kang (71) of South Korea and Stacy Lewis (74), the former NCAA champion from Arkansas, AP reported.

``I have a lot of tournaments'' left to play this year and ``maybe I try more wins,'' Shin was quoted as saying. ``Still, my goal is rookie of the year.''

Shin dedicated her victory again to her mother, who was killed in an auto accident in 2004. ``I have my mother's picture in my course book,'' she said.

A multiple winner on the Korean tour, Shin became the first non-LPGA member to win three events when she reeled in the Women's British Open last August, according to AP. She followed with late-season wins in the Mizuno Classic and ADT Championship and, in March, captured the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore for her first victory as a tour member.

koreatimes