On-form Park wins trophy in style
South Korea’s Park In-Bee put on a putting masterclass to win the LPGA’s Women’s Champions tournament on Sunday after overnight leader Michelle Wie blew her chances when she four-putted for double bogey.
Park shot a superb final round of eight-under 64 to finish at 19-under 269 and capture her first title since her gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand finished second at 18-under after closing with a 66, while rising South Korean star Park Sung-Hyun was a further two strokes back in third after a fourth successive 68.
Wie led by two strokes after birdying the third and fourth holes but lost her place at the top of the leaderboard when she four-putted from within 12 feet for a double-bogey 7 on the par5th. The American closed with a 72 to finish tied for fourth at 14-under alongside Canada’s Brooke Henderson (66) and 2016’s winner Jang Ha-Na (69).
“Overall, I can’t complain, but right now it stings a little bit,” Wie said. “Obviously I wanted to walk away with the trophy, but there’s so many leaps and strides forward that I made this week. I’m really proud of myself,” she added.
The world No 1, Lydia Ko, also shot 72 in her last round to end up joint ninth.
The New Zealand teenager has not won since July 2016, a drought by her normally impeccable standards, and is trying to find her best after switching her coach, caddie and clubs.
SIX-MONTH BREAK
Park was playing just her second tournament after taking a six-month break to recover from a thumb injury.
But she showed no signs of rustiness as she reeled off nine birdies in 13 holes between the 5th and 17th holes to open up a decisive gap over a star-studded field featuring 19 of the world’s top 20 players.
“My putting was amazing today, obviously,” Park said. “Yesterday I was really disappointed with my putter.
“I couldn’t make any putts yesterday and obviously I made up for it today.
“Pretty much everything I looked at wanted to drop in.”
Jutanugarn, the world No 2 and reigning British Women’s Open champion, was level with Park after 10 holes and said she was awed by how well the South Korean played.
“She’s the best player,” said Jutanugarn. “I learnt a lot from her. She’s very calm.
“I feel like she makes every putt. I don’t think she missed one today.”
Organisers ordered play stopped for 50 minutes because of lightning in the area, with just the final grouping of Sung, Wie and Ko still on the course but out of contention.