Former world No.1 Jiyai Shin hit an incredible shot from the crowd on her way to securing her second Australian Open crown on Sunday afternoon.
Shin raced away from the rest of the field with three holes to play at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Course to finish with a score of –17.
South African Ashleigh Buhai (-15) and South Korean youngster Hyojin Yang (-7) rounded out the podium.
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Jiyai Shin celebrates a birdie putt on the eighteenth green on day three of the Australian Open 2024 at Kingston Heath Golf Club. Andy Cheung via Getty Images
The victory marks Shin’s 65th professional win after she won the Australian Open at Royal Canberra in 2013. Her impressive CV also boasts two major triumphs.
Australia’s Hannah Green started the final round two shots back from the Korean before capitulating to share equal fourth on -6.
Shin paved her way to the title with a hot streak which included three birdies and an eagle in her first five holes — the eagle the result of what could be the shot of the tournament.
On the par 4 fourth, the 36-year-old holed her approach shot from the wetland area to the left of the fairway in remarkable scenes.
Dubbed ‘The Final Round Queen’, Shin hedged her bets before sealing the $295,000 victory with another eagle at the par 5 10th.
Jiyai Shin poses with the Patricia Bridges Bowl after victory on day four of the Australian Open 2024. Morgan Hancock via Getty Images
Defending champion Buhai chased hard but to no avail while teenage amateur Yang pieced together a breakthrough tournament.
Green was sent tumbling down the order after a horror front nine of 42 that included three bogeys and a disastrous three-putt for a triple bogey at the par 4 seventh.
The West Australian local has battled jet lag throughout the tournament following a tight turnaround between the LPGA Tour Championship wrapping up in Florida and subsequent mad dash to Melbourne.
Green had hoped to be the first local champion since Karrie Webb in 2014 to win the Australian Open.
Grace Kim was the best of the Aussie women — 11 strokes off the pace.
