First blood to Se Ri Pak in Safeway PING
IN: News | LPGA | Safeway PING (2003) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 24 Mar 2003
In what will likely become a common occurrence this year on the USLPGA Tour, Se Ri Pak has held on to outlast Grace Park in a tight finish at the Safeway PING Championship in Phoenix today.
Pak's fast start today where she was out in six under par thirty with two eagles, had her leading by three shots from Sorenstam and Park with nine holes to go. The 24-year-old Park, however, closed quickly with a back nine of 31 and Pak had to pull out all stops including a birdie at the last to stay ahead.
It was Pak's nineteenth win in a career that started in 1998 and has included four majors, two of those coming in her rookie year.
Annika Sorenstam, competing in her first full event of 2003, began the last round with a two shot lead but could only manage a one under par 71 today to share third place with Hee-Won Han and Patricia Menouier-Lebouc. Lorena Ochoa was sixth, confirming once again that she will play a big part on the LPGA Tour this year.
One look at the leader board again highlights the amazing influence Korean golf is having on the USLPGA. Pak and Park first and second, Hee Won Han third and Mi Hyun Kim 11th.
After sharing the lead through thirty-six holes, Karrie Webb faded to finish 15th but still topped the ANZ players this week. Gloria Park finished 26th, Shani Waugh, Michelle Ellis and Joanne Mills equal 29th, Loraine Lambert 36th, defending champion Rachel Teske settled for 40th and Marnie McGuire 66th.
The USLPGA heads to California for the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first of their majors for the year.
