ROGERS, AR – Jiyai Shin (70-70-64 = 204) turned in a remarkable final round performance to win the 2009 P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship presented by John Q. Hammons. Shin defeated Angela Stanford and Sun Young Yoo on the second hole of a sudden death playoff to capture her third victory of 2009 and the sixth of her young career. The 21-year-old shot a tournament-low seven-under-par 64 to overcome a seven stroke second round deficit.  She earned $270,000 for her win.

Shin turned in less-than-ideal rounds over the first two days, shooting back-to-back 1-under 70s. However, playing nearly two hours ahead of the final group, she shot the best round of the tournament, a bogey-free 64 that included five birdies on the back nine and seven for the day.

Following her round, Shin waited patiently to see if her clubhouse lead would stand. Song-Hee Kim, the second round leader, was never able to gain momentum on Sunday and finished 1-over on the day, dropping her to a T4 finish at 8-under.

Sun Young Yoo, who started the day at 6-under, made birdie on the final hole to earn a berth in the playoff. Stanford, playing in the final group, was even-par for the day over 17 holes before making an exhilarating 25-foot eagle putt on the final hole to make the playoff a three-way affair.

The golfers replayed the par-5 18th hole to begin the playoff and each made birdie. They then moved to the par-3 15th hole, where Shin drained a 12-foot birdie putt to win following her opponents’ misses.

“I saw that Angela's ball looks like just almost straightaway, no left to the right. But Angela's ball went left to the right. So I said that was different looking. So I trust Angela's putt, and then I set up about the cup to the left of the hole and then I made it. Angela's big help for me,” said Shin about the winning putt.

Shin entered the tournament ranked fifth in the world, and will likely move up when the world rankings are released tomorrow. Her winner’s check brought her season earnings to $1,498,861, leading the LPGA Tour. The young golfer leads the Rolex Rookie of the Year standings by a wide margin and surpassed Cristie Kerr for the lead in the Rolex Player of the Year standings.

Crowds at the tournament swelled as the day progressed and rainy weather subsided for the most part. Fans could sense an exciting finish with the logjam near the top of the leaderboard and the anticipation peaked when Stanford closed out regulation with her eagle putt. Following the first playoff hole, galleries rushed to the 15th hole to witness Shin’s moment in the spotlight.

The gracious champion was surprised by her come from behind victory and appreciative of all the support she received. Fans roared with applause as she returned to the 18th green to receive the champion’s trophy presented by Mayor Steve Womack and representatives from tournament sponsors Procter & Gamble and Walmart. 

For complete information on the tournament visit www.pgbeautychampionship.com.