Shin Ji-yai ties for second at U.S. Women's Open

Shin Ji-yai reacts on the 18th green after sinking a birdie putt to tie for second place in the U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California on Sunday. [AP/YONHAP]

Veteran Korean golfer Shin Ji-yai tied for second at the U.S. Women’s Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.

Shin put on a strong performance on Saturday and Sunday to finish with a final score of six-under, 282, tying with Charley Hull of England in second place, three strokes behind winner Allisen Corpuz of the United States.

Two other Korean golfers managed a top-10 finish, with Kim Hyo-joo tying for sixth alongside Ayaka Furue of Japan on two-under, 286, while Ryu Hae-ran followed in eighth place on even par.

Thirty-five-year-old Shin is a former world No. 1, but has been playing mostly on the Japan Tour in recent years. Debuting in 2008, Shin has 11 LPGA title to her name including two British Opens, most recently winning the 2013 ISPS Handa Women’s Australia Open.

"I tried to remember everything," Shin said after the final round. "Even today, the weather was perfect to see the beautiful course. Even my playing, my feeling and all my fans, I will remember forever.

"I was so excited about playing at Pebble Beach, and until the last hole, I had fans cheering me up, and I think I had a beautiful finish. Although I did not win the championship, I'm as happy as being a champion. I think that this experience left me an indelible impression, and I'll never forget this week."

Winner Corpuz lifted her very first LPGA title at Pebble Beach on Sunday in only her second season on the Tour. The 24-year-old Hawaii native stayed under par across all four rounds, hitting a 69 on Thursday, a 70 on Saturday, a 71 on moving day and back to a 69 to close out the tournament for a total score of 279.

Kim Hyo-joo, who had been in contention early in the tournament, dropped to sixth with disappointing rounds over the weekend, hitting a 73 on Saturday and a 74 on Sunday.

World No. 1 Ko Jin-young failed to make the cut, hitting a huge 79 on Thursday followed by a 72 on Friday to sit seven over par after two rounds. Korean favorite Park Min-ji, the winningest golfer on the KLPGA Tour, fared better, tying for 13th with a four-over, 292, alongside countrywoman Kim Sei-young and five other golfers.

The LPGA returns next week with the Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]