Sunday July 25, 2010, 07:01 PM

Shin Jiyai became the first South Korean to win the Evian Masters on Sunday, a victory made more remarkable coming just six weeks after she underwent emergency surgery.

She secured her victory with a nine-foot putt at the last hole to give her a one-shot edge over Morgan Pressel, Choi Na Yeon and 15-year-old American Alexis Thompson.

With a 67 for a 14 under par, 22-year-old Shin, the 2008 Women's British Open Champion, claimed a 340,000 euros prize and her 31st career title worldwide.

America's Pressel, the third round leader, closed with a 70, South Korean Choi birdied four in a row from the 14th for a closing 66, while Thompson birdied the 18th from 12 feet for a 67.

For Shin, the victory came just six weeks after she underwent emergency surgery to remove her appendix.

"I can't believe it," she said. "I was so nervous at the last two holes. I felt ready to play again (after the operation) two weeks ago, and this proves I am also able to win again.

"It really is so exciting. I holed a lot of good putts this week and the one at the last was very special. I didn't know if I could do it - but I just had to trust myself."

For Thompson - who lives in Florida and wants to be known as Lexi - it was just a third professional event.

She finished tenth in the US Women's Open two weeks ago and on Sunday she collected a handsome cheque of over 120,000 euros.

A birdie machine and with her father, Scott, on the bag, Thompson emulated another teenage sensation, Michelle Wie, who finished second at Evian as a 15-year-old in 2005.

She came into the tournament hoping to make the top ten.

"It's been a great week," she said. "I loved being here and today was just amazing."

Showing her amazing spirit and determination, she made seven birdies in the glorious final day conditions and bounced back from a bogey at the 16th with birdies at the final two holes.

She holed from six feet at the 17th before making the longer one at the 72nd hole.

Currently schooled at home, she has no intentions just yet of becoming a full time player, but she has another three sponsor invites to tournaments this season.

Pressel, the third round leader, holed out with her wedge for an eagle at the fifth and was two shots clear at the turn.

But she bogeyed the 10th and could never quite get her putter to work. But she did not fall behind until, having watched Shin hole, she missed an eight foot birdie putt at the 18th.

© 2010 AFP/sid