LPGA star rookie Shin vows better results next year

INCHEON, Nov. 25 (Yonhap) -- The LPGA's Rookie of the Year, Shin Ji-yai of South
Korea, said Wednesday she will clinch the Player of the Year award next year as
she returned home to a warm welcome.
"I want to do better than this year and will challenge for the Player of the Year
award," the 21-year-old said upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, west
of Seoul.
She lost this year's Player of the Year honor to Lorena Ochoa of Mexico by one
point, finishing eighth in the season-ending LPGA Championship in Houston, Texas.
The Mexican, who ranked second at the tournament, has defended her title for four
straight years.
"I missed the award, but I achieved my goal as a rookie in the LPGA tour," said
Shin, who also topped the official prize money list with some US$1.8 million.
"I think I was too covetous of the Player of the Year award before the final
tournament of the year. I will never repeat the failure, as I learned a lot from
it."
She said she will take a break after playing a friendly match with South Korean
and Japanese golfers early next month.
brk@yna.co.kr
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