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MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota: South Korean Inbee Park fired a 2-under 71
Saturday to capture the US Women’s Open, becoming the youngest
champion in the major championship’s history.
The 19-year-old Park started the day two shots
adrift of the leader before rallying to finish at 9-under 283 and a
four-stroke victory.
“This is very special for me,” Park said.
“In the 10 years I have been playing golf it finally happened.”
Sweden’s Helen Alfredsson shot a 2-over 75 to
finish second while third round leader Stacy Lewis stumbled to a
5-over 78. Lewis finish in a three-way tie for third with Brazil’s
Angela Park (73) and another South Korean In Kyung Kim (75).
Park shot under par in all four rounds and
became the fifth first time winner on the LPGA Tour this year
“Everything is happening so quickly for me. It
is a little scary,” she said.
Park took the lead with birdies at the first two
holes and was never caught as she carded a stellar round in strong
winds at Interlachen Country Club.
Park, who did not have a three-putt the entire
championship, is the third South Korean to win the biggest title in
women’s golf, joining Se Ri Pak (1998) and Kim Ju Yun (2005).
A top junior talent before turning pro two years
ago, she won the 2002 US girls’ junior championship, and was a
five-time junior All-American.
She finished 37th on the money list last year in
her rookie season on the LPGA Tour.
-- AFP
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