Shin Jiyai wins Japan Women's Open for 30th JLPGA title and majors sweep
In short
Shin Jiyai, 38, won the Japan Women's Open on Oct. 4 at Takarazuka Golf Club in Hyogo Prefecture, finishing 11-under-par 269 and beating Kuwaki Shiho in a playoff. It was her 30th JLPGA Tour victory, earning a permanent seed, and made her the first player to win all four Japanese women's majors. Japanese outlet Sports Hochi reported her career JLPGA earnings have passed 1.53 billion yen, about 13 billion won.
Why it matters
The win extends Shin's lead at the top of the JLPGA's career money list, where Seoul Economic Daily says she is likely to stay for some time. The permanent seed that comes with a 30th title frees her from having to defend her tour card, so she can pick and choose tournaments, the paper reported. Her sweep of Japan's four majors is a first in the history of Japanese women's golf, a record Japanese media also highlighted.
Key facts
- Shin Jiyai won the Japan Women's Open at Takarazuka Golf Club in Hyogo Prefecture on Oct. 4, finishing at 11-under-par 269. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- She closed with a 4-under round and beat Kuwaki Shiho in a playoff, making a birdie on the third extra hole. [ 1 , 3 ]
- It was her 30th JLPGA Tour win, making her the seventh player to earn a permanent seed. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She became the first player to win all four of Japan's women's golf majors. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She took a 30 million yen winner's prize. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily put her career JLPGA earnings at 1,539.01 million yen, about 13.1 billion won, while Sports Hochi was cited saying they passed 1.53 billion yen. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Kuwaki Shiho, her playoff opponent, won the AIG Women's Open in August. [ 3 ]
- Born in 1988, Shin has won three straight KLPGA money titles, 11 LPGA titles including two majors, and has been based mainly in Japan since 2014. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Shin Jiyai won the Japan Women's Open on Oct. 4 at Takarazuka Golf Club, finishing 11-under-par 269 and winning a playoff. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The victory was her 30th on the JLPGA Tour, giving her a permanent seed as the seventh player to reach that mark. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She is the first player to win all four Japanese women's majors. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She received a 30 million yen winner's prize. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Her career JLPGA earnings now exceed 1.5 billion yen, or more than 13 billion won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Her exact career JLPGA prize money total. The documents give different figures: Dong-A Ilbo says it has passed 1.5 billion yen, Maeil Business, citing Sports Hochi, says it has passed 1.53 billion yen, and Seoul Economic Daily gives 1,539.01 million yen.
- How long she will keep the No. 1 spot on the JLPGA career money list. Seoul Economic Daily says she is likely to hold it for the time being but gives no timeframe, and no other document addresses it.
- Shin's future tournament plans. The documents say her permanent seed lets her choose events freely, but none reports which events she will enter.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Dong-A Ilbo publishes its report on Shin Jiyai's Japan Women's Open win, citing Sports Hochi on the 30th title and the four-major sweep. [ 1 ]
- Maeil Business publishes its report, giving her career JLPGA earnings as more than 1.53 billion yen. [ 2 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reports her career earnings at 1,539.01 million yen and quotes Shin saying she feels her golf can still improve. [ 3 ]