Karrie Webb's challenge fell apart as Jiyai Shin overcame atrocious weather and a marathon 36-hole final day to claim a second Women's British Open title by nine shots.

Australian great Webb was well-placed to claim a fourth British Open crown and eighth major title when she charged into contention with a third round 68 and went into the final round at wet and windswept Royal Liverpool Golf Club in second place, three shots behind South Korean Shin.

But she shot a 10-over-par 82 to fall to a tie for fifth as Shin closed with a 73 to win at nine-under from compatriot Inbee Park (76).

Shin's winning margin was the biggest since the Championship became a major in 2001.

American Paula Creame closed birdie, eagle, par and birdie, to place third on one over par after a 72.

Finishing in near darkness, the victory completed a remarkably impressive week for 24-year-old Shin, who has now won 10 times on the LPGA Tour.

Last Monday, she had needed nine extra holes to beat Creamer in a play-off for the Kingsmill Championship on the LPGA Tour.

"That was a long, long day and very tough," said the new champion.

"I have never played in such bad weather, but I managed to stay focused and now I'm just so excited.

"Winning at Sunningdale four years ago was my first big win and changed my life. Now I have even more great British Open memories."

Shin's victory means that for the first time in history Asians have won all four of the women's Majors in a single calendar year with South Korea's Sun Young Yoo winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship, China's Shanshan Feng claiming the LPGA Championship and South Korea's Na Yeon Choi taking the US Women's Open earlier this year.

Friday's play had been wiped out due to severe winds and the weather again caused havoc on a day of catch-up.

There was even an eight minute break in the second round when the gusting wind and torrential rain made it impossible to hit shots.

Shin, who shot a course record 64 in Saturday's second round, added a 71 in the third round and her lead was reduced to three by Webb, who charged into contention with a 68.

But as conditions deteriorated so did the golf and Webb's hopes began to slip with a double-bogey, bogey, bogey start.

Shin also hit trouble at the start of the final round with a three-putt, triple-bogey seven.

But the 24-year-old bounced back with a 25-foot birdie at the short sixth and another from 18 feet at the seventh.

Seven ahead at that stage, she was never troubled by anything other than the weather.

Lydia Ko, the 15-year-old New Zealander who became the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour at last month's Canadian Open, took the amateur prize, the Smyth Salver.

The teenager shot 72 and 78 to finish in the top 20 on nine over par, two ahead of English amateur, Holly Clyburn.