Jieun Shin Claims Second Career Win After 10 Years and 2 Months: "I Desperately Wanted Victory" (Comprehensive)

Victory at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open
Celebrates First Win Since the 2016 Texas Shootout
Kim A Lim Claims Second Place, Kim Hyo Joo and Korda Share 16th Place

Veteran Ji-eun Shin savored the joy of her first victory in 10 years and 2 months.

On July 26 (Korean time), Ji-eun Shin recorded 2 birdies and 5 bogeys in the fourth round of the LPGA Tour ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open (total prize money $2 million), held at Dundonald Links (par 72, 6,543 yards) in North Ayrshire, Scotland. Battling harsh windy conditions, she shot a 3-over-par 75, securing a two-shot victory with a total score of 9-under-par 279.

Shin achieved a wire-to-wire win after holding the lead for four days. This marks her second career victory, coming a long time after her first win at the America Texas Shootout in May 2016. The winner’s prize is $300,000 (approximately 440 million won). She also becomes the third Korean champion in this tournament, following Mi-hyang Lee in 2017 and Mi-jung Hur in 2019.

Jin Young Shin smiles holding the trophy right after winning the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open. North Ayrshire=AP Yonhap News Photo

This year, four Korean players—Hyo-joo Kim (2 wins), Hae-ran Yu (2 wins), and Mi-hyang Lee (1 win) among them—have collectively claimed six victories. Notably, following Hae-ran Yu’s wins at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship, this marks the third consecutive win for Korea in major tournaments.

Shin started the final round with a five-stroke lead but faltered with three consecutive bogeys from holes 6 to 8. She made a crucial par save on the 9th hole (par 4), then picked up birdies on the 10th and 12th holes to stretch her lead back to four strokes. On the 16th hole (par 4), her tee shot landed in the left rough; on the final 18th hole (par 5), her ball found the right rough, resulting in bogeys on both. However, these bogeys did not affect her championship outcome. After finishing the 18th hole, Shin was moved to tears as she celebrated her win.

Ji-eun Shin debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2011 and has remained a consistent competitor over 16 years. In 2012, during the final round of the HSBC Women’s Champions, she lost a two-stroke lead on the 18th hole with a double bogey and was defeated by Angela Stanford (USA) in a playoff—an agonizing loss. Four years later, she claimed her much-awaited victory at the America Texas Shootout, succeeding in her 132nd attempt after 131 previous starts.

Jin Jieun won the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open, reaching the top for the first time in 10 years and 2 months. Photo by AFP Yonhap News.

Shin was sponsored by Hanwha Qcells until 2024, but after the company withdrew its support, she appeared on the course wearing an unbranded cap. In a post-victory interview, Shin said, “This win feels different from my first. I think I was able to win because I endured well on the links course,” she said with a bright smile. She also expressed, “I desperately wanted this victory. I hope to carry this momentum into next week’s major, the AIG Women’s Open.”

Arim Kim carded five birdies and one bogey for a 4-under-par 68, climbing from fifth to second place (7-under-par 281). With this, she achieved her best finish of the season and entered the top 10 for the sixth time this year. Pajaree Anannarukarn (Thailand) finished third (5-under-par 283), Esther Henseleit (Germany) was fourth (4-under-par 284), while Miyu Yamashita (Japan) and Lauren Coughlin (USA) tied for fifth (3-under-par 285).

Hye-jin Choi shot a 5-under-par 67 and moved up to a tie for 13th (1-over-par 289), joined by Hee-young Yang. World No. 3 Hyo-joo Kim made par on all 18 holes and ended tied for 16th (2-over-par 290) together with World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA). Sei-young Kim finished tied for 19th (3-over-par 291), Yoon Ina tied for 28th (5-over-par 293), and Mi-hyang Lee tied for 31st (6-over-par 294). Defending champion Lottie Woad (England) ended in a tie for 37th (7-over-par 295).

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