Ji-Yai Shin

Ji-yai Shin (born April 28, 1988) is professional golfer currently playing on the LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA). She has broken all existing KLPGA records, winning 10 events in 19 starts on the KLPGA Tour in 2007. She also placed in the top 10 in two LPGA Tour events, where she played, although she is not an LPGA member.

Career

Amateur

In 2005, while she was still in high school, Shin was the only amateur to win a KLPGA event that season when she won the SK Enclean Invitational. She turned professional at the end of the 2005 season.

Professional

2006

Returning to the KLPGA as a rookie in 2006, she started her year with a pair of third place finishes in her first two events and went on to claim three wins on the season.

2007

2007 marked Shin's breakout year. She played 19 events on the KLPGA and won 10 of them, shattering all existing Tour records. She also ventured onto the LPGA Tour for the first time and played three of the four women's major championships. At the U.S. Women's Open she finished sixth after holding the tournament lead going into the final round. The next month at the Evian Masters, an event on the LPGA Tour an a major on the Ladies European Tour, she finished tied for third. Shin finished 2007 ranked 8th in the world, the highest ranked Korean of all, and the only non-LPGA member who ranked in the top ten.

2008

Opening 2008 at the Women's World Cup of Golf, Shin and number two KLPGA player Eun-Hee Ji succumbed to the Philippines pair of Jennifer Rosales and Dorothy Delasin with a score of -16 after 3rd and final day of competition. Philippines scored -18 and received the $240,000 cheque.

Shin then played at the Women's Australian Open where she finished 2nd, losing to Karrie Webb in a playoff. cite web
last = Martin
first = Blake
title = Webb trumps Korean star
publisher = "The Sydney Morning Herald"
date = 2008-02-04
url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/golf/webb-trumps-korean-star/2008/02/03/1201973740625.html
accessdate = 2008-02-09 ]

Shin won the Women's British Open in Berkshire, England for her first LPGA Tour and major win.

Shin has endorsement deals with Hi-Mart, Wolsey, PRGR Golf, and Yonsei University.

Professional wins (22)

Ladies European Tour / LPGA Tour (1)

*2008 (1) Women's British Open

KLPGA Tour (18)

*2005 (1) SK Enclean Open
*2006 (3) Taeyoung Cup Korea Women`s Open, PAVV Invitational, Orient China Ladies` Open
*2007 (10) MBC Tour MC Square Cup, Hill State Ladies` Open, MBC Tour BC Card Classic KB Star Tour in Daegu, KB Star Tour in Chungcheong, SK Energy Invitational, Samsung Finance Ladies` Championship, Inter-Burgo Masters, ADT-CAPS Championship, Orient China Ladies` Open Presented by Samsung
*2008 (4) Woori Investment & Securities Ladies` Championship, Taeyoung Cup Korea Women`s Open, BC Card Classic, Shinsegae KLPGA Championship

Ladies` Asian Golf Tour (2 )

*2006 (1) Kosaido Taiwan Japan Friendship Tournament
*2007 (1) Thailand Ladies` Open Presented by TAT

Japan LPGA Tour (1 )

*2008 (1) Yokohama Tire PRGR Ladies` Cup

Results in LPGA majors

DNP = did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
WD = withdrew
"T" tied
Green background for a win. Yellow background for a top-10 finish.

Personal life

In 2004, Shin's mother was killed in a car accident. Her younger brother and sister were seriously injured and spent nearly a year in a hospital. cite web
last = Martin
first = Blake
title = Korean teenager to give Webb a run for the money at the Open
publisher = "The Age"
date = 2008-01-31
url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/golf/korean-teenager-to-give-webb-a-run-for-the-money-at-the-open/2008/01/30/1201369229170.html
accessdate = 2008-02-09 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.seoulsisters.com/players/misc/shin.htm Biography on seoulsisters.com]
* [http://www.worldsportspictures.com/golf/ji_yai_shin.php Ji-yai Shin pictures]