Golf marvel Jiyai Shin is respiration simpler after protecting Ashleigh Buhai at bay to assert her second Australia Open title in a dramatic end at Kingston Heath.
Shin had been on observe for a record-setting victory earlier than holding on for a two-shot win with a 17-under-par 274 complete as hopes of a primary house triumph in a decade rapidly evaporated on Sunday.
The South Korean former world No.1 had led by as many as seven pictures within the last spherical however needed to drain a seven-foot putt on the final to shut with a spherical of three-under 70 and keep away from an much more anxious finale.
Bidding to grow to be the primary participant within the event’s 50-year historical past to finish a successful hat-trick, Buhai had a 12-foot birdie try on the 72nd gap to use strain on Shin.
However the South African shaded the cup because the 36-year-old Shin added a sixty fifth skilled title to her unbelievable CV.
“Now I can breathe,” Shin mentioned.
“I solely had one Australian Open trophy so I’m actually excited for this subsequent one, particularly at this golf course at Kingston Heath.
“I misplaced in 2008 to Karrie Webb so now I really feel a lot better.”
Additionally a two-time British Open champion, Shin first had her title etched on the Patricia Bridges Bowl in 2013.
Her 17-year-old newbie compatriot Hyojin Yang completed third at seven beneath, 10 pictures behind the winner and eight adrift of the runner-up, after positing a final-round 72.
Hannah Inexperienced and fellow LPGA Tour star Grace Kim had been the main Australians in a tie for fourth at six beneath.
But it surely was a forgettable day for Inexperienced, who began simply two pictures behind Shin and hopeful of capping a stellar season with a fourth title of the 12 months.
As an alternative, Inexperienced completed with a horror six-over 79 because the day – and the spoils – belonged to Shin.
With extra shades of brilliance, Shin jumped out to a six-shot lead even earlier than the flip.
She collected two birdies and a chip-in eagle on the par-4 fourth gap to surge to 17 beneath as Inexperienced collapsed.
The West Australian bogeyed the fourth and sixth holes to fall seven pictures behind however a lot worse was to comply with as Inexperienced racked up a disastrous triple-bogey seven on the seventh.
After dragging her tee shot left into the bushes, Inexperienced needed to punch her ball out on to the adjoining sixth fairway earlier than sinking her strategy into the bunker and three-putting.
She by no means recovered, leaving solely Buhai to problem Shin down the stretch.
“General I am simply actually proud of how I attempted to battle on the market. Clearly, I used to be struggling very arduous and I in all probability might have been even worse,” Inexperienced mentioned.
“I simply felt like, to not say that the opposite gamers had been getting fortunate bounces, however I simply felt like I did not have a fortunate break.
“So, total nonetheless proud of the consequence.”
Buhai closed the hole to 2 thanks to 5 back-nine birdies and a nervy three-putt from Shin, earlier than the Korean nice held on.
“That is golf,” Shin mentioned.
“If I had like a number of pictures, I am nonetheless making an attempt to maintain give attention to my sport as a result of on this golf course with these climate situations, no person is aware of till the top.
“I attempted just a little bit simply to the touch it however some holes work, some holes not working – however I am nonetheless holding my trophy.”
