By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-12-17 09:33

XIAMEN - Baby-faced, bespectacled, and a bit more heavy-set than many of her competitors, South Korean Shin Ji-yai does not look like a typical golfer.

But despite her misleading appearance, the defending champion of the Orient China Ladies Open once again proved herself an overwhelming force in the KLPGA. It is clear that winning the 2006 and 2007 KLPGA Orders of Merit has nothing to do with a golfer's appearance, as Shin secured back-to-back titles with her win at the $250,000 Orient China Ladies Open yesterday in Xiamen.

Team Asia's Ji-yai Shin of South Korea, tees off on the eighth hole during Day Two of the Lexus Cup at The Vines Golf Course in Perth, Western Australia, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007. [Agencies]

"Yes, I am a bit shorter and also fatter, but it does not have any effect on my skill," Shin said, smiling. "Actually, standing short will make the center of gravity lower and I can play more consistently. Being fat makes my swing stronger and I have the advantage of distance."

The 19-year-old shot a final round of five-under 68, and a three-round total of 13-under 203 to claim China's first national championship for women's golf and picking up a winner's check of $45,000.

Chinese Taipei's rising star Tseng Ya Ni, 18, overcame a strong charge from others in the field and grabbed second place with an eight-under performance, followed by Shin's compatriot Ahn Sun-ju, who was three shots behind Tseng.

Each of the top 40 players from the KLPGA Order of Merit joined in the tournament and took up seven of the top 11 spots.

Local star Zhang Na, four-time JLPGA winner, finished tied for fifth place with a two-under 214, and emerging teenager Feng Shanshan, who will start her LPGA career next year, shared the seventh position at one-under.

"I have been enjoying a good year and good form, but my putt was not very good in the past days and I paid for the mistakes," Zhang said. "But I cannot complain too much. Anyway, I am back home and I can enjoy the feeling of competing on home soil."

Shin was impressed with many Chinese players, adding it will be more difficult to defend her championship next year.

"Chinese players are improving fast. They are getting closer compared to last year. I think I will be challenged a lot next year."