Shin Ji Yai came from 6 strokes behind at the start of the find round to win the prestigious "champions of champions" tournament held at Tanah Merah Country Club, Singapore.
Q. After your first 2 rounds, did you change anything specifically that made you then go out and shoot two rounds of 66?
JIYAI SHIN: Nothing, I think it's nothing changed. Just changed the score. I just make birdie. I think yesterday and today I am no bogies, so that makes it more easy to make low score. First round, second round, yeah, make birdie, but too much mistakes. But more my iron shot, driver shot has been more very easy yesterday and today.
Q. You are the final round queen and you live up to your name today...
JIYAI SHIN: Yeah, Korea, my fans make that name, so, yeah. Couple of years in Korea, I make it last final round, I make it the win change the leader. So they make it for me that queen name. So, yeah I was thinking today not for me but for fans.
Q. When did you realize you were leading the tournament for the first time?
JIYAI SHIN: Well, actually, last year at the Korean Open, I think last round, to finish the nine holes I'm a little bit behind like maybe four strokes, same like today. So I was thinking, Oh, maybe four strokes I'm behind. Maybe I get more, make it birdie at 10. I'm thinking that.
Anyway, I make it to the 15 hole, make a birdie. And Katherine, she at number 13 makes double bogey, yeah. So I know the score, so I'm more set of my game. Just keep it on the fairway and greens.
Q. Do you miss anything about not being a regular 20 year old? And secondly, do you even feel 20 years old?
JIYAI SHIN: Yeah, I am 20 years old. Yeah, the more I go, the more I get everything. Because before I play golf, I don't have friends or after a match talking like this. So that makes a change for my life, and more makes it perfect in my life and for me, so yeah. And then next month I turn 21 (laughing).
Q. Can you tell us what's going through your mind as you finish up the tournament with that final putt?
JIYAI SHIN: I'm just thinking about two putt, I want to make it two putt not birdie. Because the lie is difficult and very fast downhill. So I hit it very soft, and it is very soft. So a couple of things about the shots, but no, I make it two putt.
Q. Do you feel like you belong in the top echelon of women's golf now or is this sort of a shock to you?
JIYAI SHIN: I don't know. I just tried my best. And then this event and then I got win, so make a chance to the top, make it, maybe.
(via translator) I think more important after four years, I think, it's very important. Four wins is nice, finishing off the season strong is more important.
Q. Could you just sum up for us what this victory means to you and how it's going to prepare you for the season coming up and what your goals are for this season?
JIYAI SHIN: This year my first goal is to win Rookie of the Year. So I think this tournament I moved more closer little bit. Then I want to defend my titles. Yeah, it's this year my goal.
Then this week, first round, second round, I'm very not good score, but I changed in third round and fourth round, final round. So I get more confident. First day, second day mistakes, I think, doesn't matter.
Q. Do you think there is less pressure on you compared to Katherine Hull, since she was the leader going into the final round?
JIYAI SHIN: No, I think she feels more pressure. Today she start as the leader, and I start tied for sixth. So I just missed. I tried my best, so I try next tournament. But she starts leader and she looks at the score, she gets more, I think, big pressure.
Q. You already surpassed Pak Se Ris money in Korea. And you've won three world tournaments in the U.S. Do you think you can have as much impact as Pak Se Ri in the States?
JIYAI SHIN: Right now I just start tournament play. She plays a lot over 10 years. So I just try in 10 years to make it. I want to do more sport like Se Ri Pak, but she's a great leader and winner in tournaments, so I tried.
This is my first win here. As a LPGA player, a member.
Q. Even when you're not playing very well like on the first two days, you appear very calm on the golf course. Is that just the way you are, or do you ever lose your temper?
JIYAI SHIN: Oh, little bit (laughing). Yeah, I'm player so making mistake I sometimes upset. But yes, this tournament is the first my goal is top 10. So I tried not won, but more get comfortable after mistakes, yeah.
Q. Why do you think Koreans are so good at golf?
JIYAI SHIN: Well, that's same question every time get same question. I always say that we have Kimchi, and it has special powers, spicy, I think (laughing). I think we long time have family to support, the players. So, get more hard mental, and then more training.
Video taken by CheowEng
Transcript by ASAP Sports
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Ji Yai Shin WBO 2008by tgr9814,434 views
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