Golfer Shin Eyes Season’s 4th Title

LPGA golfer Shin Ji-yai is taking a shot at the world’s top ranking and the Bear Trophy, which is awarded to the player with the fewest number of strokes in a season.

Winning the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship last week, Shin became the leader in four categories – season wins, prize money, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year points.

Jumping three notches from her No. 5 ranking, she is rapidly catching up with top-ranked Lorena Ochoa of Mexico. With 70.30 strokes, she is also a close second to Christie Kerr of the United States (70.17).

In the first round of the LPGA’s Samsung World Championship in San Diego, Shin shares the lead with Kim Song-hee, hitting six-under par 66 with seven birdies and one bogey.

If Shin wins her fourth title of this season, she could claim both the world’s top ranking and the Bear Trophy.

She recorded a bogey on the first hole (par four) after sending her second shot into a bunker, but rebounded with seven birdies.

uni@donga.com