Shin Ji-ae’s Pursuit of LPGA Victory Continues
Shin Ji-ae, a 37-year-old golfer, is currently competing in her 12th year on the LPGA Tour, aiming for her first victory. Her journey has been marked by consistent performance and a deep passion for the sport.
During the third round of the Toto Japan Classic, which offers a total prize money of $2.1 million, Shin Ji-ae faced challenges that saw her lose one stroke. She managed three birdies and four bogeys, finishing the round in a tie for sixth place with an interim total of 10-under par (206 strokes). This places her five strokes behind the co-leaders, Nasa Hataoka and Yuna Araki, who are both at 15-under par.
The tournament, co-hosted by the LPGA and the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) tours, highlights the global nature of women’s golf. Shin Ji-ae previously competed on the LPGA Tour before shifting her focus to the JLPGA Tour from 2014 onwards. Her dedication to the JLPGA has yielded significant achievements, including surpassing a cumulative prize money of 1.4 billion yen for the first time in tour history with her victory at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup in May.
Throughout her career, Shin Ji-ae has accumulated a remarkable number of wins across various tours:
- 29 wins on the JLPGA Tour
- 11 wins on the LPGA Tour
- 21 wins on the Korean KLPGA Tour
- Six wins on the European Tour (LET)
- Five wins on the Australian Tour
- One win on the Ladies Asian Tour
Excluding co-hosted tournaments, her total pure wins amount to 66. Currently, she leads the JLPGA Tour in all-time prize money earnings, with 1.440687213 billion yen (approximately 13.7 billion Korean won).
A Motivated Athlete
Shin Ji-ae remains focused on her goals, stating, “I still want to win, so I train hard.” She also believes she is in a position to inspire young players, aiming to show fans good shots. This mindset reflects her commitment to not only personal success but also to mentoring the next generation of golfers.
Her return to using an old Scotty Cameron putter this week indicates a strategic approach to her game. “I like races full of tension and matches where I feel pressure,” she added, highlighting her competitive spirit.
Beyond the Greens
In addition to her golfing endeavors, Shin Ji-ae has dabbled in music, having once released an album with her singing. When asked about her next album, she mentioned, “I am quite busy with golf and training, but since Yoo So-yeon is getting married next month, I will sing for her,” adding, “I need to practice.”
Among the top nine after the third round, Shin Ji-ae stands out as the only non-Japanese player. Yoon Yi-na and Lee So-mi are tied for 10th place (7-under par). Yoon Yi-na recorded one bogey and then made six birdies. Since October, she has shown an upward trend, aiming for her first top-ten finish in her LPGA Tour debut season. This demonstrates the growing depth of talent in the LPGA, with players from various backgrounds striving for excellence.