Shin Ji-yai

Shin Ji-yai, who has won three LPGA titles this season, was named the 2009 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year, the LPGA Tour announced on Tuesday.

Shin claimed her first win of the season at the HSBC Women's Champions, then went on to win the Wegmans LPGA and the Arkansas Championship. With strong performances in other competitions, she racked up 1,406 points in the Tour's rookie race, beating second-place finisher Michelle Wie (764 points) by a large margin.

"In the beginning of this year, my goal was to win the (Louise Suggs Rolex) Rookie of the Year and now I did that," Shin said. "I'm very happy. Now I have a chance for the Rolex Player of the Year too, so I'm really excited about it. I have enjoyed my rookie year on the LPGA Tour very much."

If Shin wins the Rolex Player of the Year as well, she will become the first player since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win both awards in one year.