Jenny Shin claims first LPGA win in over a decade at Women's Scottish Open
Jenny Shin of South Korea has claimed her first LPGA Tour victory in over a decade, winning the Women’s Scottish Open. Shin secured a two-shot victory at Dundonald Links, marking an emotional return to the winner’s circle. Her last LPGA win was the Texas Shootout in May 2016.
Shin, who is 33 years old, finished the tournament at 9 under par. Despite carding a 3-over 75 on the final day, she maintained her lead, having been ahead since the first round. She started the final round with a five-shot advantage over Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand.
Navigating Challenging Conditions
Shin’s victory at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open was described as a wire-to-wire performance, demonstrating her ability to navigate four days of challenging Scottish weather and demanding links conditions. She co-led after Thursday’s opening round with a 6-under 66 and never relinquished control.
During the final round, Shin encountered difficulties, including three consecutive bogeys on holes 6-8. She also bogeyed two of the last three holes. Reflecting on her performance, Shin noted she wasn’t as nervous as the previous day but struggled with her hitting, finding bunkers and bushes.
Despite these challenges, Shin expressed pride in her perseverance. “With three bogies in a row, I thought, ‘oh boy, I don’t know where this is going to go’,” Shin stated. “But yeah, I hung in there, so I’m quite proud of myself and very happy.”
After her final putt on the 18th hole, Shin was visibly emotional, shedding tears before being celebrated by friends with water and champagne. She contrasted this win with her first, saying, “My first one didn’t really feel like a win at the time. I didn’t feel like I deserved it. It felt very accidental. But this one definitely feels a lot different. This one feels like I earned it. I worked hard for it.”
A Return to the Winner’s Circle
This triumph marks a significant milestone for Shin, who joined Team Srixon at the start of the season. Her coach had asked her about her goals four years prior, to which she responded that she wanted to win again before retiring. Shin emphasized the effort she put into achieving this victory, stating, “I worked hard for this one. I’ve been wanting it so badly, and I’m so happy I did it.”
Throughout the tournament, Shin utilized a full set of Srixon and Cleveland Golf equipment. Her winning setup included a new Srixon Driver, ZXi7 Irons, Cleveland Golf RTZ Wedges, and Z-STAR XV golf balls. This equipment helped her manage the firm turf, swirling winds, and changing conditions characteristic of links golf.
The victory also extends a successful period for the brand, as Srixon staff players have achieved back-to-back wins across the LPGA Tour and global professional golf. This follows Ryan Fox’s victory at The Open Championship the previous week. The brand highlights that its athletes and equipment consistently perform well under demanding conditions and high stakes.
In the final standings, A Lim Kim finished second, carding a 4-under 68. Kim’s performance included four consecutive birdies, which allowed her to move two shots ahead of Anannarukarn, who ultimately finished third.
The Women’s Scottish Open is part of a series of three tournaments in Europe, bridging the gap between the final two majors of the season. The next major, the Women’s British Open, is scheduled to begin on Thursday at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.
Source: sportsnet.ca
