GOLF.com: Jenny Shin Ends 10-Year Winless Drought at Women's Scottish Open, Credits COVID Turning Point

Jenny Shin Ends a Decade of Waiting

At the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open, Jenny Shin claimed her second career LPGA title — a full 10 years after her first at the 2016 Volunteers of America Texas Shootout. The win didn't come without drama: Shin shot a final-round 75, including three consecutive bogeys, yet held off a charging A Lim Kim to win by two strokes.

The Lost Years — and the Pandemic Revelation

Shin, now in her 16th year on tour, openly described years 8 through 12 as a prolonged struggle with motivation and identity. Unsure of her goals, she searched for a reason to keep competing at the highest level.

The COVID-19 pandemic, paradoxically, became her catalyst. Six months of enforced inactivity — spent doing Instagram live sessions and, in her own words, "lots of weird stuff" — showed her what life without professional golf actually felt like.

"COVID really turned around my entire life," she said after her victory.

Rediscovering the Love for Competition

Shin described herself as an adrenaline "junky" who thrives on the pressure of leaderboard battles. The tension of being chased by Pajaree Anannarukarn on the final day, she said, was "exhilarating" rather than terrifying.

Her golf career began remarkably early — she became the youngest winner of the U.S. Girls' Junior at just 13 years old in 2006, turning pro by 2010.

Strokeslab Perspective

While this story lacks SG data, Shin's ability to protect a lead while shooting 75 speaks to mental resilience that statistics alone cannot capture. Her COVID-era transformation is a compelling reminder that the psychological foundation of performance matters as much as technical skill.