The Asian Invasion
The winner of the British Women’s Open at Sunningdale is not someone that US golf fans may have heard about; but she will be someone that you will be hearing a lot more about, in the coming years.
Ji-Yai Shin is a 20 year old Korean player who does not have a weakness, which is extraordinary for a player so young. Shin’s swing is flawless. She has a very repetitive move devoid of any wasted motion which makes the effect seem effortless.
Shin’s victory was her ninth win in her last 20 starts. Does that resonate? Her 9th. victory in her last 20 events. True, that the other eight were on the Korean LPGA tour but that may be even more impressive. Here’s why.
The Top 5 players at the Women’s British Open were all Asian born players. In the last 10 LPGA Tour events, 8 of the Champions are Asian (seven of them are from Korea).
10 of the Top 20 players on the LPGA Money list are from Asia.
And that list does not include, yesterday’s winner, Shin. Shin has not yet decided if she wants to play on the LPGA Tour, although her victory gives her exempt status.
Thee winners of the last three LPGA Major’s (and their respective ages) are:
Yani Tseng 2008 McDonald’s LPGA Championship 19 years, 4 months, 16 days
Inbee Park 2008 U.S. Women’s Open 19 years, 11 months, 17 days
Ji-Yai Shin 2008 RICOH Women’s British Open 20 years, 3 months, 6 day
These girls can play.
