South Korean rookie star Shin Jiyai has shaken off the nervousness she felt in winning last week and feels confident ahead of Thursday's start of the 1.4 million-dollar LPGA Jamie Farr Classic.
Shin faces a top field in the final tuneup for next week's US Women's Open, the third major of the women's golf season, but boosted her belief she can win by claiming her fifth title in 11 months at last week's Wegmans LPGA.
"After winning last week, I feel very comfortable. No more being nervous," Shin said. "The course plays very well. The fairways and greens are dry and fast so I like it. It's a similar course to last week. It's narrow.
"I have confidence with my driver so I like a narrow course. I am confident."
Shin's seven-stroke romp continued a run for the 21-year-old that began with last year's British Women's Open crown.
She also took last year's Mizuno Classic and season-ending LPGA Tour Championship and won last March in Singapore. Now she has cracked the one million-dollar mark and leads the tour in prize money this year.
"After winning last week, it feels like it's in my dreams," Shin said. "I have to focus for this week now. Last week is done. So this week I'll try my best."
Shin could become the first player since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win the LPGA Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.
"This year my goal is Rookie of the Year only," Shin said. "Because I am a rookie this year, that's my goal. I have a chance for Player of the Year right now, but we have still a lot of tournaments. So I will just really try my best. My goal is to just enjoy this season."
World number one Lorena Ochoa of Mexico, defending champion Morgan Pressel of the United States and compatriot Se Ri Pak, a five-time winner of this 25-year-old event, are among those trying to slow down Shin's express.
"There are so many great players on this tour, so I feel very surprised that I've won five times," Shin said.
Pak could become the first woman in LPGA history to win any event six times. Her triumphs at this event in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2007 have her level with retired stars Mickey Wright and Annika Sorenstam as five-time winners.
"When we watched Se Ri Pak win, we started playing golf," Shin said of Korean girls. "I think Se Ri Pak opened the door to the LPGA Tour. I'm really thankful for her."
The top five players at this event after 36 holes who are not qualified for the Women's British Open will earn entry into that event, which begins on July 30.
Copyright 2009  AFP Global Edition
