Ashleigh Buhai chased hard, but had to settle for second on Sunday after she was pipped by two strokes in her quest to win a third consecutive ISPS HANDA Australian Women’s Open at Kingston Heath on the famed Melbourne sand belt.

South Korea’s Jiyai Shin withstood a late challenge from a fast-finishing Buhai to claim her second Australia Open title. Shin shot a three-under-par 70 for a 17-under-par 274 total to win by two shots from the twice defending champion Buhai, who closed with a five-under 68.

The former world number one had led by as many as seven shots in the final round but Buhai’s five birdies, with one bogey, on the final stretch made Shin’s victory far less certain.

The 36-year-old South Korean didn’t falter and sunk a seven-foot putt at the last to close out her 65th professional title and a second Australian Open since winning in 2013.

“Now I can breathe,” Shin said. “I only had one Australian Open trophy so I am really excited for this next one, especially at this golf course at Kingston Heath.

“I lost in 2008 to Karrie Webb so now I feel much better.”

Shin paved her way to the title with a hot streak which included three birdies and an eagle in her first five holes — the eagle the result of what could be the shot of the tournament. On the par-four fourth, the 36-year-old holed her approach shot from the wetland area to the left of the fairway in remarkable scenes.

Buhai was bidding to become the first triple consecutive winner at the Australian Open and had a 12-foot birdie attempt at the last to narrow Shin’s margin to one shot, but it skirted by the cup.

The 17-year-old amateur Hyojin Yang finished third at seven under, 10 shots behind compatriot Shin, after a final round 72.

Hannah Green (79) had a disastrous start to her final round, falling out of contention early with three bogeys and a double bogey in her first nine holes.