Jiyai Shin is one of Korea’s best ever golfers, with two major victories and a total of 66 wins around the world during her career.
Born in Yeonggwang-gun in the South Jeolla Province of Korea in April 1988, Shin only started playing the sport at the age of 11. She would turn professional just six years later with a win to her name already, having claimed the title at the SK Enclean Invitational on the LPGA Tour of Korea. Over the next few years, she would go on to dominate the tour, including a ten-win season in 2007.
A year later, Shin broke down the major door, winning the Women’s British Open on the Old Course at Sunningdale. The Korean would then win the title again four years later, winning by an incredible nine shots at Royal Liverpool. These wins are part of 11 wins on the LPGA Tour and six wins on the Ladies European Tour. The Korean also has eight other top five finishes in major championships, including a runners-up finish at the 2023 US Women’s Open.
Shin has a total of 66 worldwide victories, with a career spanning two decades, through to her most recent win at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup – one of the LPGA Tour of Japan’s four major tournaments.
Jiyai Shin | Player Profile
Personal Information
Name: Jiyai Shin
Born: April 28, 1988
Nationality: Republic of Korea
Residence: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Career
College: Yonsie University
Turned Pro: 2005
Professional Wins: 66
Highest World Ranking: May 3, 2010
Best Results In Majors
Best Finishes:
– Chevron Championship – T5 (2010)
– Women’s PGA Championship – 3rd/T3 (2009, 2010)
– US Women’s Open – T2 (2023)
– Amundi Evian Championship – T44 (2013)
– AIG Women’s Open – WON (2008, 2012)
Professional Wins – 66
2005 (1) – SK Enclean Invitational
2006 (3) – Taeyoung Cup Korea Women’s Open, PAVV Invitational, Orient China Ladies Open
2007 (11) – Thailand Ladies Open, MBC Tour MCSquare Cup Crown CC Ladies Open, Hill State Open, MBC Tour BC Card Classic, KB Star Tour 3rd Tournament at Pohang, KB Star Tour 4th Tournament at Cheongwon, SK Energy Invitational, Samsung Finance Ladies Championship, Interburgo Masters, ADT CAPS Championship, Orient China Ladies Open
2008 (10) – Yokohama Tire PRGR Ladies Cup, Woori Investment & Securities Ladies Championship, Taeyoung Cup Korea Women’s Open, BC Card Classic, Women’s British Open, Shinsegae KLPGA Championship, Hite Cup Championship, KB Star Tour Grand Final at Incheon, Mizuno Classic, ADT Championship
2009 (4) – HSBC Women’s Champions, Wegmans LPGA, P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship, Masters GC Ladies
2010 (4) – Cyber Agent Ladies, Evian Masters, J Golf Series MetLife-Korea Economic Daily KLPGA Championship, Mizuno Classic
2012 (2) – Kingsmill Championship, Ricoh Women’s British Open
2013 (1) – ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open
2014 (4) – Nichirei Ladies, Meiji Cup, Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament, Munsingwear Ladies Tokai Classic
2015 (3) – Cyber Agent Ladies, Nichirei Ladies, Japan LPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup
2016 (4) – RACV Ladies Masters, Hoken No Madoguchi Ladies, Nichirei Ladies, Hisako Higuchi Mitsubishi Electric Ladies Golf Tournament
2017 (2) – Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament, Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open
2018 (5) – ActewAGL Canberra Classic, World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup, Golf5 Ladies, Japan LPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup, Japan LPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup
2019 (3) – Studio Alice Women’s Open, Fujisankei Ladies Classic, Earth Mondahmin Cup
2020 (2) – Fujitsu Ladies Golf Tournament, Toto Japan Classic
2021 (2) – Nichirei Ladies, Daito Kentaku Eheyanet Ladies
2023 (3) – Women’s Victorian Open, Daikin Orchid Ladies Golf Tournament, Earth Mondahmin Cup
2024 (1) – ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open
2025 (1) – World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup
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Achievements and Awards
LPGA Tour of Korea Rookie of the Year – 2005
LPGA Tour of Korea Money List Leader – 2006, 2007, 2008
LPGA Tour of Korea Player of the Year – 2007, 2008
LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year – 2009
LPGA Tour Money List Leader – 2009
GWAA Female Player of the Year – 2009
LPGA Tour of Korea Hall of Fame Inductee – 2015
LPGA Tour of Japan Player of the Year – 2018
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jiyai Shin
When and where was Jiyai Shin born?
Jiyai Shin was born in April 1988 in Yeonggwang-gun in the South Jeolla Province of the Republic of Korea.
When did Jiyai Shin turn professional?
Jiyai Shin turned professional in 2005, at the age of just 17. She already had a win to her name, and quickly became a star on the LPGA Tour of Korea.
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How many major titles has Jiyai Shin won?
As of 2025, Jiyai Shin is a two-time major champion. Both of those wins came at the Women’s British Open, with the Korean being victorious in 2008 and 2012. She has a further eight top-five finishes in the majors, including a runners-up finish at the AIG Women’s Open in 2024, 12 years after her last major victory.
Did you Know?
Back-to-Back Double Digit Win Years
Shin was in such good form in 2007 and 2008 that she won at least ten times in both years. 2007 was her best year, winning 11 times – including ten victories on the LPGA Tour of Korea as, unsurprisingly, she led the Money List and was named Player of the Year. She achieved the same accolades in 2008, while that year also saw her claim her maiden major title.
Women’s British Open Double
Thanks to her victories in 2008 and 2012, Shin is a two-time Women’s British Open champion. She is one of just two women to have lifted the trophy twice, alongside Yani Tseng – winner in 2010 and 2011.
Asian Golfing History
Shin made history in May 2010, as she became the first Asian golfer to sit at the summit of the Women’s World Golf Rankings. She took over from Lorena Ochoa, and spent a total of 25 weeks as the World No.1.
Just how good was Jiyai Shin in her prime? Can the Korean get back to her best and win on the LPGA Tour again? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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