She was a shot ahead of a group including 15-year-old Korea-born New Zealander Lydia Ko, who was the top amateur in 39th equal.

CNN: SHARE THIS

Teenage sensation Lydia Ko, who was born in South Korea but is a New Zealand national, stormed to her first LPGA Tour title last month, with much expected of the 15-year-old at Hoylake.

CNN: Sensational Shin wins women's British Open

Hyo Joo Kim, the 17-year-old South Korean player who played in a group with 17-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn and 15-year-old New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko, was second along with Hee Kyung Seo and late starter Suzann Pettersen.

NPR: Defending Champ Miyazato Leads In Hawaii

If he does play Down Under, he may have the chance to follow in the footsteps of New Zealand's Lydia Ko, who at the age of 14 this year became the youngest professional winner at a women's tournament in New South Wales.

CNN: Chinese golfer, 13, to make European Tour history