S. Korea`s Shin Ji-yai wins LPGA Tour Mizuno Classic

SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean golfer Shin Ji-yai on Sunday finished top in the Mizuno Classic sanctioned by the U.S. LPGA Tour and its Japanese counterpart, becoming the first South Korean to win the tournament since 1995, her agents here said.

Shin's victory in the LPGA Tour event is seen especially significant as the
20-year-old is set to make her debut in the U.S. tour next year. The Mizuno
Classic was held in Japan's Shima.
Shin shot five-under 67 in the third and final round of the tournament for a
total 15-under 201. Japan's Mayu Hattori finished second at nine-under 207,
followed by South Korea's Lim Eun-a, who shot eight-under 208.
The victory also marked Shin's second major championship this year following her
win in the Women's British Open in August. Shin became the third South Korean
ever to win the British Open after Park Se-ri and Jang Jeong.
Shin began her professional career only three years ago, but has already topped
the KLPGA's earnings rankings twice, in 2006 and 2007, while also becoming one of
the world's top 10 players, according to her agents.
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