Park lifts Olympic title defence hopes with 69 at Australian Open
>> ADELAIDE: Reigning Olympic champion Park In-Bee vaulted into the joint lead at the Australian Open yesterday in her quest to make South Korea’s team for the Tokyo Games and defend her 2016 gold medal.
The seven-time major winner and former world No.1 carded a four-under-par 69 at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club, with England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff, the overnight leader, sinking birdies on the final two holes for a 70 to join her.
They are one clear of American LPGA Tour rookie Jillian Hollis and two ahead of South Korea’s Cho
Ayean and American Marina Alex.
Park has set an aggressive earlyseason schedule to try to climb the rankings and qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
Currently ranked 17, only the top 15 are automatically eligible for the Games, with a limit of four from each country. As of this week, she is sixth in the Korean pecking order.
“It’s probably tougher than getting a medal in the Olympics to make the team,” the 31-year-old said ahead of the tournament.
“I probably have to win a couple of times early this season to try to make the team.”
After missing the cut in her last two events, Park has finally found form in Adelaide to keep her dream alive, draining four birdies to no bogeys in her flawless round.
“A bogey-free round today was good. It was a little bit more calm this morning, so it was nice to play out there. My putting was consistent, like last couple of days,” said the Korean legend.
“I just love the golf course and the atmosphere here. So hopefully I can pull it off on the weekend.
“It definitely gives me a lot of excitement being on the top of the leaderboard and being in contention in the weekend. That’s the reason why I’m playing golf.”
LEADING SECOND ROUND SCORES
(par-73, USA unless stated)
136 — Park In-Bee (KOR) 67-69, Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG) 66-70
137 — Jillian Hollis 68-69
138 — Ayean Cho (KOR) 69-69, Marina Alex 68-70
SELECTED SCORES
142 — Jasmine Suwannapura (THA) 70-72, Pavarisa Yoktuan (THA) 72-70, Georgia Hall (ENG) 70-72, Nelly Korda 69-73, Minjee Lee (AUS) 70-72, Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 70-72, Mind Muangkhumsakul (THA) 70-72