A lot in a name for winner

It doesn’t exactly roll off an English tongue, but 2017 U.S. Women’s Open champion Sung Hyun Park has one of the best nicknames in sports. “Dak Gong.” The translation? “Literally, ‘just shut your mouth and attack,’” said the 23-year-old, who had a 5-under 67 on Sunday at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster to overtake 54-hole leader Shanshan Feng of China and 17-year-old amateur Hye-Jin Choi of Republic of Korea for her first victory in North America. Park had an 11-under par total of 277, two better than Choi.

Park won $900,000 US for finishing first.

The translator in the media centre said “Dak Gong” is actually a made up word “like an acronym.”

“That nickname, I guess kind of came from my fans last year,” said Park. “Like some or a lot of Korean female golfers, I guess I am more aggressive in my play. So fans gave me that nickname that I just focus on attack and be aggressive. That’s how it probably came and I’m happy for it.”

Choi, the 2016 Canadian Amateur champion, was tied for the lead on the 16th tee when she dumped her 7-iron from about 140 yards in the water and made a double bogey five. She rallied with a birdie on the par-5 18th to finish solo second. That would have been worth $540,000 US for a pro; instead it was passed along down the line.

“Well, it would be nice if I could get the money, but I think my primary goal was to come here and compete,” Choi said.

Choi, you will remember, won the World Junior Girls Golf Championship at The Marshes in 2015. This was the second straight year she was the low amateur at the U.S. Open.

Her total of 279 beat the old amateur record, set by Grace Park in 1999, by four strokes.