LPGA Tour winner Jenny Shin felt she had nothing to lose heading into the final day of the LOTTE Championship. Starting the day in a tie for 36th, Shin said it was her goal to go as low as possible. “3-under feels like even-par here,” she said. Shin started strong with three birdies on her opening holes, later making four more on Nos. 7-10. By day’s end, the 28-year-old finished one-shot off the tournament’s 18-hole record, a 62, to secure a T6 result.
“I started with three great birdies. Made -- first two putts were not short so they were a great momentum picking up. And I had troubles on two holes, 11 and 12, so -- no, it was 12 and 13. I handled that well. Got up and down; made par,” said Shin. “I think that was a huge deal for me. I was able to make a birdie, two birdies closing in, so it was a great day overall.”
Shin said her confidence has been high since a top-10 finish at the Gainbridge LPGA, and had the 18-hole record in her mind as she made her way around Kapolei Golf Club. “That last putt I wanted it so badly and I hit it a little bit too firm and I was just like, Oh, my gosh,” said Shin. “I didn't really know where I was coming down until the last few holes. I was starting to count and I was like, Where am I? I really need to birdie the last two holes,. I did that yesterday, so I thought could totally be a possibility. Did the best I could, but, yeah, maybe not today.”
Shin started the week with a little advice from her boyfriend, who is native to the area and grew up playing Kapolei. She was impressed by the conditions of the public course and is thrilled to enter the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open with a chip on her shoulder.
“I was telling my caddie and my boyfriend as well, because he grew up on this golf course. I said, This is a public golf course, and to have this kind of condition on the greens was really surprising,” said Shin. “I'm looking forward to my Asia events. I've done pretty well in both Thailand and Singapore. This is a really good, and I look forward to it. So it's a great opening of my four-week run.”
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