Hours after Sorenstam walked up the 18th at the Women's British Open to a standing ovation and closed her final major with a birdie, Ji-Yai Shin won the last major of the year by three strokes after a final round 6-under 66 on Sunday.

Shin, a 20-year-old South Korean whose 21 previous victories were all in her homeland or Japan, maintained Asia's recent domination of the majors on the LPGA Tour. In capturing her first major with an 18-under score of 270, she led an Asian sweep of the top five places.

Taiwan's Yani Tseng, winner of the LPGA Championship earlier this year, was second with a 66 and a 15-under total of 273, while Korea's Eun Hee Ji (67) and Japanese third-round leader Yuri Fudoh (71) tied for third on 14-under. Japan's Ai Miyazato (70) was fifth at 13-under 275, and 13 of the top 20 were from Asia.

The other Asian to win a major this year was Korea's Inbee Park, who took the Women's U.S. Open.

Playing well outside her comfort zone on the Korean LPGA Tour, Shin said she had a sleepless night ahead of her final round.

''This morning I was very nervous, but I focused on my game and now I won, so I am happy,'' said Shin, who has received an invitation to join the LPGA Tour. ''My dream's come true now.

''I was planning to play in Japan, but maybe now I change my plans and play in America.''

That could be bad news for the Americans, who gave the Asians something of a run at Sunningdale with four players - Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis and Juli Inkster all in the top 16, but nowhere near the winner.

Defending champion Lorena Ochoa was left behind, too. The Mexican threatened the lead early in her final round but wound up tied for seventh with an 11-under 277 after a 69. She also acknowledges the Asian threat.

''There are so many and they are playing so good, so consistent,'' said the Kraft Nabisco winner, the only non-Asian to win a major title this year. ''I learned a lot this week."