Hee Won Han avenges 2002 Sybase playoff loss
IN: News | LPGA | Sybase Big Apple Classic (2003) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 21 Jul 2003
Following a brilliant amateur career and a great start to her professional career when she turned pro in 1998, 25-year-old South Korean, Hee Won Han has finally broken through on the USLPGA Tour for her first win.
After earning the Louise Sugg Rolex Rookie of the Year title in 2001, 2002 produced many close calls for Han, in terms of that elusive first win. She was three times second including a playoff loss at this very event and was seven times inside the top ten, but was unable to secure her maiden win. This year she has again been consistent with five top tens and so it seemed just a matter of time before that all important win would come her way.
It is perhaps fitting that the win should come at the Sybase Big Apple Classic where last year she had lost a playoff on the first extra hole to fellow South Korean Gloria Park. She and Meg Mallon had effectively made a two horse race of it this week as they took a five shot lead over Cindy Figg-Currier into round four. Mallon was the first to crack with three bogies on the front nine for an outward nine of 38 to leave Han two ahead. That was the way it was to stay as Han, despite two bogies coming in, had enough in hand to edge out the more experienced Mallon by two.
Grace Park finished strongly with a last round 68 to tie third with Figg-Currier. Park remains in second place on this 2003 money list behind guess who, Annika Sorenstam.
Rachel Teske was sixth after a week of inconsistent scores. Her opening round 73 was followed by a 65 then a 73 then a last round 69. It perhaps reflects a golfer in need of a break but like the rest of the LPGA Tour, Teske heads to France this week, for the Evian Masters, an event she won in 2001.
Joanne Mills was 22nd after a disappointing weekend, Gloria Park 26th, Mardi Lunn 35th, Jan Stephenson and Marnie McGuire 53rd.
Suzy Whaley who this week tees it up against the men at the Greater Hartford Open finished 48th, not exactly installing confidence for the week ahead.
