"My only purpose this week is to not disappoint my parents"- Jenny Shin faces pressure at the Toto Japan Classic
Jenny Shin is currently playing in the TOTO Japan Classic at the Seta Golf Curse in Shiga, Japan. After the first round, which was played this Thursday, October 31, the Korean is tied for third place with a score of 6-under 66.
Shin played with her parents watching from the sidelines. Here's what she had to say to the LPGA Tour News Service:
"I'm never relaxed here when my parents are watching. My only purpose this week is to not disappoint my parents. And I think I did a pretty good job today." [0:01 - 0:10]
Shin currently leads the LPGA Tour in first-round scores.
"First day is always different than being in contention on Sunday. Definitely less expectations. Just curious to see what I'm capable of compared to, like, being curious to see what I'll shoot. There's a very fine line, but it's a pretty big difference," she said.
Shin began her professional career in 2010 and has been on the LPGA Tour since 2011. She has one victory on the circuit, which came at the 2016 Volunteers of America Texas Shootout. In addition to this triumph, she boasts 43 top-10 finishes and 87 top-25 finishes.
Her major championship record includes 66 starts, 50 cuts made, and three top-10 finishes. Her most significant result was a tie for sixth place at the 2017 Women's British Open.
Jenny Shin's performance in the first round of the TOTO Japan Classic
Jenny Shin started the first round of the TOTO Japan Classic on the 10th hole and parred her first three holes. She then made four consecutive pars and birdied the ninth to finish the front nine at 2-under 35.
Shin continued her strong performance with a birdie-par-birdie streak on the first three holes of the back nine. She followed this with consecutive pars on the 13th and 14th holes, then carded back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th. A lone bogey on the 17th was the only blemish on her scorecard, as she concluded the round with a birdie on the 18th.
The tournament is led by local player Hanah Wakimoto with a score of 9-under 63. Jin Young Ko sits in second place, two shots back, while Linn Grant, Ayaka Furue and Hyo Joo Kim are tied for third place along with Shin.
In the 2024 season, Shin has played in 22 LPGA Tour events. She has three top-10 finishes and her best result was a tie for third at the CPKC Women's Open. Her results place her 32nd in the Race to CME Globe with 891 points. With only three tournaments remaining on the LPGA Tour regular schedule, Shin is qualified for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
Nelly Korda leads the Race to CME Globe, and has a lead of more than 1,000 points over second-placed Hae Ran Ryu.