Shin Jiyai wins Japan Women's Open for first domestic career Grand Slam
In short
Shin Jiyai, 38, of South Korea won the Japan Women's Open on 4 October at the Takarazuka GC old course in Hyogo, beating Kuwaki Shiho in a playoff after both finished 11 under par. Yomiuri Shimbun and Yahoo! News Japan reported it was her 32nd domestic tour title and 30th since JLPGA registration, earning her a permanent seed as the seventh player, and the first domestic women's major grand slam. Yahoo reported she earned 30 million yen and wept after the win.
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Shin Jiyai, 38, of South Korea won the Japan Women's Open on 4 October at the Takarazuka GC old course in Hyogo, coming from two strokes behind at the start of the final round to beat Kuwaki Shiho in a playoff. The two finished level at 11 under par and the playoff was settled on the third extra hole, Yomiuri Shimbun reported. Yahoo! News Japan reported the same outcome and said Shin carded a 66 with five birdies and one bogey. [ 1 , 2 ]
The victory was Shin's 32nd on the domestic tour and her 30th since her registration with the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association, Yomiuri reported, making her the seventh player to gain a permanent seed. Both Yomiuri and Yahoo reported that she became the first player to complete a grand slam of domestic women's majors. Yahoo said the tournament was the third major of the season and that she received 30 million yen in prize money. [ 1 , 2 ]
Yahoo reported that Shin broke down in tears after the win and carried a comment from her that she had never cried when winning. It also reported that her career prize money has now passed 1.5 billion yen. [ 2 ]
Yomiuri reported that Sato Kokona finished third at 7 under par and Yasuda Yuka fourth at 6 under, while defending champion Hori Kotone ended the tournament 16th at 2 over par. [ 1 ]
Nikkei published only the headline of its final-results item, with no article text or summary available, so it added no further detail on the result. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The result carries a permanent JLPGA seed, which the documents present as a status reached by only seven players, and a first-ever sweep of the domestic women's majors. Coverage is confined to Japanese outlets and is almost entirely result-focused, so its significance outside Japan rests on the milestone itself rather than any wider consequence.
Key facts
- Shin Jiyai, 38, won the Japan Women's Open on 4 October at the Takarazuka GC old course in Hyogo, a 6,185-yard par-70 layout. [ 1 , 2 ]
- She started the final round two strokes off the lead and beat Kuwaki Shiho in a playoff after both finished 11 under par. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The win was her 32nd on the domestic tour and her 30th since her Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association registration, making her the seventh player to gain a permanent seed. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Yomiuri and Yahoo reported it was the first time a player has completed a grand slam of domestic women's majors. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Yahoo reported she took 30 million yen in prize money and that her career earnings have passed 1.5 billion yen. [ 2 ]
- Sato Kokona finished third at 7 under, Yasuda Yuka fourth at 6 under, and defending champion Hori Kotone 16th at 2 over. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- Prize money of 30 million yen and career earnings above 1.5 billion yen These figures appear only in Yahoo's report and are not confirmed by any other document.
- Which four titles make up the domestic women's major grand slam, and over what period it was completed The documents call it the first domestic major grand slam but do not list the four events or the dates.
- Details in Nikkei's item beyond the headline The Nikkei document carries only a headline on the final results, with no summary text available.
- Shin Jiyai won the Japan Women's Open on 4 October at Takarazuka GC in Hyogo. Reported by a single source so far
- She won a playoff against Kuwaki Shiho after both finished at 11 under par, decided on the third extra hole. Reported by a single source so far
- It was her 30th win since JLPGA registration and earned her the seventh permanent seed. Reported by a single source so far
- It was the first domestic women's major grand slam. Reported by a single source so far
- She began the final round two strokes behind the leader. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yomiuri Shimbun publishes its final-round report on Shin's comeback win in the playoff. [ 1 ]
- Yahoo! News Japan publishes its account, reporting she wept after the win and adding prize-money and career-earnings figures. [ 2 ]
- Nikkei publishes a headline on the final results, with no summary text available. [ 3 ]