Koreans hold off Sorenstam
IN: News | LPGA | Sybase Big Apple Classic (2002) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 29 Jul 2002
Korean born Gloria Park, who has made Australia her home in recent years, captured her second win on the USLPGA Tour following a playoff with compatriot Hee-Won Han, to continue the winning ways of Koreans on tour this year.
Park joins Se Ri Pak and Mi Hyn Kim as Korean winners this season but there are several others also doing well. Hee-Won Han, was second earlier in the season at the Longs Drugs Challenge, Grace Park has had nine top tens in sixteen starts and even rookie Ara Koh was twelfth this week and they are just a few of the Koreans making their mark.
Gloria Park is in her third season on tour after qualifying at her second attempt in 1999. She was born in Seoul but spent some time in Sydney where she was three time Australian Junior Champion and the Australian Stroke Play Champion in 1997. She is still only 22 so a bright future awaits her. She is coached by Queenslander Ian Triggs whose stable also includes Rachel Teske and John Senden.
Hee-Won Han was rookie of the year last year and she has continued to develop as a player in her second season. She looks destined for big things.
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of Park's win was the fact that she held off Annika Sorenstam who, I would imagine, most felt was the likely winner going into the final round. Sorenstam was tied with Park leading into round four and I am sure that her win is just that much sweeter knowing she has held off the world's number one. It won't do her confidence any harm either.
Karrie Webb produced a last nine of 32 to grab fourth just a shot behind Sorenstam, Rachel Teske was fifteenth, Mardi Lunn 31st, Wendy Doolan 40th and Fiona Pike 62nd.
