Tseng romps to seven-shot win over Shin in Women's Australian Open

Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, bogeying only two of 72 holes, successfully defended her Women’s Australian Open title, shooting a final-round 2-under 71 Sunday to win by seven strokes.

Tseng finished with a four-round total of 16-under-par 276 on the par-73 Commonwealth Golf Club course.

No. 1-ranked Jiyai Shin was tied for second with two others. Shin shot a final-round 75, level with South Korean Ji Eun-hee (74), and England’s Melissa Reid, who shot 68.

Jennifer Song of the United States finished fifth after a 71, nine strokes behind Tseng.

Four-time champion Karrie Webb shot 70 Sunday, 11 behind Tseng. Laura Davies of England shot 74 and finished at 290, 14 strokes behind the winner.

The 22-year-old Tseng, a three-time major winner and voted the 2010 LPGA Tour player of the year, ran away from the field in the final round.

“It’s always been my goal to be No.1 and I think I’m getting a little closer,” said Tseng.

“I hit the ball very solid this week every day. I felt really good with my swing and feel very confident. Just need to bring that confidence to my whole year.”

Tseng become only the second player in the tournament's history to defend the title.

"It feels very good to win by seven shots," she said. "I have not had that feeling before and it feels very good. And I enjoyed the crowd on the 18th hole. "I always enjoy it here. I love the city, I love the people and all the volunteers. They are very nice to me."