Shin Ji-yai (申ジエ) became the first player in Japan Tour history to win all 4 majors and also secured a lifetime exemption. She produced steady play in the cold rain on the final day and won after prevailing in a playoff.
Shin Ji-yai (申ジエ) became the first player in Japan Tour history to win all 4 majors and secured a lifetime exemption at the same time. Now 38, she chose to compete on the Japan Tour and viewed playing in Japan as a new beginning.
In difficult conditions with cold rain falling on the final day, Kuwaki Shiho (桑木 志帆) closed to within 3 strokes on the back nine, but Shin raised her level of concentration and tied for the lead with a birdie from approximately 16 meters on the par-4 13th. She also gained strokes on the 14th and 17th.
The playoff extended to 3 holes, and Shin won by sinking an approximately 4.5-meter birdie putt. After the match, she looked up at the sky and praised Kuwaki's determined effort.
She reached No. 1 in the world rankings in 2010 and said that her perspective had broadened since coming to Japan. She said golf had become enjoyable again and described the achievement as a “new beginning.”