Shin Ji-ae fell five strokes short of an upset victory in the final round of the ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open.
South Korean Ji-Ae Shin made four birdies in the fourth round of the tournament at the par-72 Australian Golf Club in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday, but had seven bogeys and a double bogey for a 5-over-par 77.
Winner Ashley Buhai (SOUTH AFR), who shot a 9-under 280, also dropped three strokes, but Shin had to settle for third place (4-under 285), five shots behind Buhai.
Shin, who suffered an upset loss to Buhai in the final round of the event last year, was hoping for a final round upset this year as she finished second, three strokes behind Buhai, but struggled with her shot.
But by finishing tied for third in the event, which is not on the U.S. Women’s Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour but has a number of LPGA Tour players in the field and is worth a small number of world ranking points, Shin has created an asset that could help her climb the world rankings.
In order to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, Shin will need to maintain or improve her current world ranking of No. 15 by next June.
Buhui had a lackluster day, making no birdies and three bogeys, but was able to capitalize on the gains she made the day before to win for the second straight year.
Australian compatriot Lee Min-ji fought back with a 3-under 69 to finish one shot back at 8-under 281.
Four strokes back, Ji-Eun Shin tied for third with Ji-Ae Shin.
Lee’s younger brother, Lee Min-woo, lost one stroke in the final round of the DP World Tour ISPS Handa Australian Open on the same course to finish third (12-under 273).
It was his second straight win at an Australian golf major after winning the Australian PGA Championship five days earlier.
The title went to Joaquin Niemann (CHILE), who defeated Rikuya Hoshino (JPN) in a playoff.
Niman finished the fourth round tied for first (14-under 271) with Hoshino, who shot a 5-under 66 in the fourth round to drop one stroke, and eagled the 18th hole (par-5) in the second extended playoff to overtake Hoshino.
Niemann, who plays for LIV Golf, also entered the tournament as she needs world ranking points to qualify for a major. 파워볼