SYDNEY — South Korea's world No. 8 Shin Ji-Yai won the Women's Australian Open Sunday, ending two strokes clear of Taiwan's top-ranked Tseng Yani and four ahead of teen star Lydia Ko at 18-under. Shin took an early lead in the fourth and final round at the Royal Canberra Golf Club, expected to be a shot-for-shot contest with New Zealand amateur Ko, 15, who was chasing an historic second US LPGA win. But her day got off to a terrible start with a double bogey on the first hole and a bogey on the second, allowing Shin to slip to a three-shot advantage with a birdie. Ko fought back to level play with Shin, notching three birdies, but faded in the back stages to finish 14-under, also allowing world Mo. 1 Tseng to charge into second place with six birdies and an eagle putting her at 16-under. Shin, 24, held her nerve to finish at 72 for a total of 274 and take home Aus$180,000 in prize money — her third victory in seven LPGA tour starts and 11th career win. Having turned professional in January 2005, Shin is the first South Korean woman to win the Australian season-opener in its 21-year history. Haas in control at Riviera In California, defending champion Bill Haas, lifted by a spectacular eagle at the par-four 10th, burst out into a three-shot lead in the third round of the Northern Trust Open Saturday. On a tricky day for scoring at a sun-baked Riviera Country Club, American Haas fired a sizzling seven-under-par 64 to take a firm grip on the tournament. Fellow American John Merrick recorded two eagles and trailed Haas by just two shots with one hole to play before bogeying the last for a 70 to slip back into a three-way tie for second. Also at nine under were US Open champion Webb Simpson and in-form South African Charl Schwartzel who both returned 68s. British world No. 3 Luke Donald signed for a 70 to sit four strokes off the pace at eight under with Swede Fredrik Jacobson (72), who was one of two co-leaders overnight. Phil Mickelson experienced a roller-coaster day on the way to a 72 and a three-under total. — Agencies
