Flawless Park seals 1st win
NEW YORK: Annie Park produced a scintillating final round to claim her first career win at the ShopRite LPGA Classic on Sunday.
The 23-year-old, who had started the day in the chasing pack at eight under, carded an eight-underpar 63 to claim victory by one shot.
The New Yorker ’s flawless round i ncluded six birdies and an eagle, leaving her with a 54-hole aggregate 197, 16-under par for the tournament.
Japan’s Sakura Yokomine, the winner of 23 events on the Japan LPGA Tour, was second on 198.
She flirted with a 59 but parred the par-5 18th for a 61 to tie the course record.
New Jersey native Marina Alex was third on 199 after a 64. She made a hole-in-one at the par-3 17th.
World No.236 Park was ecstatic after finally ending her wait for a title at a course close to where she grew up — the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club course at Galloway, New Jersey.
“I can’t really describe it in words,” Park said. “I’ve been through a lot of struggles, and thank my family for being here.”
Wichanee Meechai was Thailand’s best performer as she finished joint seventh.
LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES
(Par-71, USA unless noted) 197 — Annie Park 69-65-63
198 — Sakura Yokomine (JPN) 70-67-61 199 — Marina Alex 67-68-64
Selected scores
200 — Kim Sei-Young (KOR) 69-61-70 202 — Wichanee Meechai (THA) 70-66-66