Jiyai Shin became the Prudential Rock Solid Performer of the week after winning the Wegmans LPGA.
Rookie Shin wins 2009 Wegmans LPGA
Twenty-one-year-old crosses $1 million mark in career earnings
"I am happy. The first hole, I made a birdie," said Shin. "That birdie changed my feeling, confidence, so I enjoyed it. Today was a good day, a lot of rain. I think rain helped me because it gave me chance, but yes, I think it was good for me."
In a week that was plagued by rainy skies and inclement weather delays, Shin stayed tough and determined throughout, which turned out to be enough for her second official victory of her rookie year, and a nice $300,000 first-place paycheck. The payout also pushes Shin across the $1 million mark in career earnings, and she takes over the top spot on Official Money List as well. If you ask Shin what she thinks about taking over first place on the money list, or what her goals are for this year, she has her answer down pat.
"Still my goal is Rookie of the Year. Yes, I am number one on the Money List now, but I have a lot of tournaments yet," she explained. "My goal is still Rookie of the Year."
Back in the opening round on Thursday, Shin put together an impressive bogey-free 7-under-par 65, which put her one stroke off the day-one leader, Sandra Gal. Then on Friday, in between two different severe weather delays, the rookie took over the top spot of the leaderboard after turning in a 4-under-par 68, giving her a two-day total of 11-under-par 133. That score also set a new 36-hole tournament record, and gave her a one-stroke advantage heading into the weekend. With a firm grasp of the top of the scoreboard, the South Korean star never looked back. Once Saturday's third round got underway after a delayed start due to weather delays, Shin was unfazed as she recorded six birdies on one bogey, to give her a three-day total of 16-under-par 200, and what proved to be a comfortable four-stroke lead heading in the final day.
When asked about her recent practice routine and this week's course conditions, it was all about the putting.
"This course has a lot of trees, so important to save the fairway," said Shin. "This week I hit very good with my driver. And then my putting was good too. On Tuesday practice day, I practiced putting for maybe four, five hours. It worked this week for me."
Shin has now won five LPGA Tour tournaments, with two of them coming this year as official victories. A year ago as a non-member, Shin won three times, including the major championship RICOH Women's British Open, Mizuno Classic, and the season-ending ADT Championship, where she took home the $1 millon first-place prize.
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