Jiyai Shin

Experience and pedigree came to the fore at St Andrews on Saturday as Jiyai Shin rolled back the years to take control of the AIG Women’s Open.

One of five players to have won this Championship more than once, the Korean mastered the fabled links to claim a one-shot lead over defending Champion Lilia Vu going into the final round.

Shin, who is the youngest winner of this Championship – aged just 20 when she first triumphed in 2008 – is one of only a handful of players to have played in all three editions of the AIG Women’s Open to be staged at the home of golf.

Although she only managed a T28 finish in 2007 and a T36 placing in 2013, she believes her previous experience of St Andrews has been the basis for her resurgence in this Championship.

“This is my third time at St Andrews,” said Shin, who finished third at Walton Heath last year. “That's how much I played it, for so long.

“I have a lot of experience with links courses. Not [with] tough wind, but … I have a lot of good experience. That's why I take all my skill today. You can see a lot of wind out there. So I [tried] to be more friendly with the wind, and [it was] nice to me today.”

The 36-year-old opened her third round with back-to-back birdies, setting the tone for a blistering afternoon.

Shin reached the turn with three consecutive birdies and landed another one at the par-4 12th.

A dropped shot on the par-5 14th – after finding a bunker – halted her momentum, but she got that shot back on 17 following a majestic approach with a fairway wood.

This birdie on the penultimate hole, coupled with a double-bogey for overnight leader Nelly Korda, handed Shin a thoroughly deserved clubhouse lead.

Shin gave up her LPGA membership in 2014 following four years of unparalleled success. She did compete in a number of LPGA events this year in an attempt to qualify for the Olympics, and although she was ultimately unsuccessful, she has been pleased with her recent form.

Shin explained: “My rookie year was 2009, and then I have … many goals for the [next] ten years, I have a plan. But after three, four years, I finish everything. I couldn't find any next step.

“That's why, I [decided] to change. So that's why I moved … close to [my] family, that's why I moved to Japan, and this is my 11th year [on the] Japan Tour.

“I'm really working hard and practising hard. I couldn't make [the Olympics] but I played good this week.

“Now I can go to back to the hotel to relax to prepare for [Sunday].”