Shin Ji-ae: Last Chance for 10 Wins in 2007

“It is the last and the first,” said Shin Ji-ai (Hi-mart), who will be participating in the three-day Orient China Ladies Open in Xiamen in southeast China.

This tournament is the last match in 2007 and her 32nd. At the same time, it is the opener to the 2008 KLPGA tour.

In the same tournament of last year, Shin won with a 17-under-par, 271 strokes, eight strokes ahead of second place Choi Na-yeon.

It is worried that she might be tired after participating in the Korea-Japan Women`s National Golf Team Match Play Competition in Fukuoka, Japan, and the Australia Golf Lexus Cup in Perth, Australia in recent days.

Shin, who has a record nine wins, said, “I did not take a full rest, but those matches were great experiences which have made me into a better player. By winning last year’s tour, I made the headlines in Chinese media. This year I will do the same and show how strong Korean professional women’s golf is.”

Jee Eun-hee (Callaway) and Ahn Seon-ju (Hi-mart), ranked second and third in prize money for the season, are also regarded as possible winners of the Orient China Ladies Open.

The trio of gold medalists in the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 – Jeong Jae-eun (18), Yoo So-yeon, and Choi Hye-yong – will make their professional debut.

The 121 participants in the upcoming tournament are comprised of 45 Korean golfers and others from China, Taiwan, and Thailand.

In the women`s world golf ranking announced on December 13, Shin was in eighth place, a spot higher than last week and the highest among Korean players. She is the only player who is not qualified for the LPGA tour and yet among the top 10 in the world.

kjs0123@donga.com