Jiyai Shin survived some nervous final holes to secure a second Australian Open at Kingston Heath

A day that started with high hopes for a decade-long winning drought coming to an end finished with something completely different.

It should have been all over in five holes.

But what had been a seven-shot final round lead for Korean marvel Jiyai Shin was still two after a “nervous” final hole putt for par delivered her a second Australian Open title.

The former world No,1 had already dashed dreams of a decade-long drought of Australian winners being broken after Shin, who had crept her way up the leaderboard through three rounds then went bang when it mattered most.

No stranger to Australia, Shin secured a two-shot win in her 10th appearance, from two-time defending champ Ash Buhai, having led by as much as seven after Hannah Green’s charge for the locals fell flat at Kingston Heath.

The winningest Korean golfer of all time, male or female, with now 65 titles to her name, at only 36 years of age, Shin shoved the chasers in the face with after carding three birdies and an eagle in her opening five holes, pushed a two-shot lead to six, and the title was hers.

11 years between #AusOpenGolf wins 🏆

Congratulations Jiyai Shin 👏 pic.twitter.com/OiiPZwfxJX

— Golf Australia ⛳️ (@GolfAust) December 1, 2024

Even dropping three shots on the back nine, including on the 17th, and some nervous moments at the perilous par three 15th, couldn’t deny the former world N0.1 her triumph after signing for a three-under 70 to finish at 17-under.

“I welcome to feel nervous because sometimes when I play, I still miss feeling nervous,” she said after collecting th trophy.

“That means I really want it. So I had a good feeling with the nervousness in the last couple months.

Shin, a two-time major winner, rendered her closest opponent, world No.6 Green, a three-time winner on the LPGA tour this year, a spectator on Sunday,

Green began with bold ambitions, two shots behind, feeling more alive after playing on autopilot for three rounds after crossing the globe just to get to Melbourne for an event she craves, really craves.

But after Shin, the former world No.1, went on her early tear, which included holing her second shot from 102m, off the fairway at the fourth for eagle, the die was cast.

Birdie.
Eagle.
Birdie.

Jiyai Shin takes a six-shot lead 🤯#AusOpenGolfpic.twitter.com/ss0P2MHJNY

— Golf Australia ⛳️ (@GolfAust) December 1, 2024

Already defeated, possibly her week catching up with her, Green’s chase became a free fall. A bogey and then a horror triple after driving into the trees on the par four seventh, and she was 10-shots behind.

From there it was all about how far Shin, who finished second at the British Open this year, could win by, only a strong northerly wind, the one hoped for by officials, and approaching storms, standing in her way.

Jiyai Shin celebrates victory on the 18th green on (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

The biggest winning margin in the past 10 women’s Opens was three shots. The record was Jan Stephenson’s 11-shot victory in 1995.

Those lofty heights evaporated as Shin made errors on the way in to the clubhouse, but not enough to aid Green or Buhai who missed two crucial birdie putts on her final two holes which could have heaped pressure on Shin.

“Honestly after she did make that hole out, it kind of felt like I was chasing for second place,” Green said after a six-over 79 to end her year.

“And that’s where I then started playing even worse. But two really nice people to play with and a very deserving winner.

“I had such a good year, don’t really want to dwell on my last round of the year being here, Aussie Open and not being in contention or even having a trophy.”

Green finished in a tie for fourth, 11-shots behind Shin, with fellow Aussie Grace Kim while rookie pro Justice Bosio tumbled down the leaderboard on the final day after carding an seven-over 80.

LEADERBOARD

17-UNDER - Jiyai Shin (KOR) - $295,708

15-UNDER – Ashleigh Buhai (SAF) - $191,340

7-UNDER – Hyojin Yang (a) - no prizemoney