Women's British Open: Shin Jiyai strolls to win

Shin Jiyai claimed her second Women's British Open title in style, winning by nine shots at Hoylake.

With Friday's high winds forcing two rounds to be played on Sunday, the South Korean began the final day with a five-shot advantage.

That was cut to three by Australian Karrie Webb after the third round.

But, as Webb capitulated, a one-over-par round of 73 was enough for Shin to take victory ahead of compatriot Inbee Park, who finished on level par.

The 24-year-old's victory on the marathon 36-hole final day completed a landmark year for women's golf, one in which all four majors were won by players from Asia.

"It was a long, long, very tough day and I just focused on each single shot," said Shin.

"Before I thought my skill was not good for links, but finally I have great tempo in my swing and I think this course was made for me.

"I had great confidence and I have great memories of this tournament."

A second-round 64, the best round of the week by four shots, gave Shin a sizeable lead going into the final day.

But she saw her lead cut to just one shot after 10 holes, only to respond by birdieing the next three.

The former world number one then started her final round with a triple bogey seven, but Webb dropped four shots in the first three holes to effectively end her challenge.

With Shin now pulling away from the field, a torrential downpour looked like it might send the tournament to a Monday finish.

However, the delay in play was for only 10 minutes and although she bogeyed the 17th, by that time Shin was already out of sight.

Park birdied the par-five 18th to take second, one shot ahead of America's Paula Creamer, with Japan's Mika Miyazato a shot further back.

Scotland's Catriona Matthew, a winner at Royal Lytham three years ago, sneaked into a tie for 10th on seven over, while world number one Yani Tseng, aiming for a third successive British Open, finished on 11 over.

Fifteen-year-old Lydia Ko - born in Korea but now representing New Zealand - was leading amateur at nine over, two better than England's Holly Clyburn, a 21-year-old from Lincolnshire.