Park returns to world No.1
INDIANAPOLIS: Park Sung-Hyun reclaimed the world No.1 spot after a birdie at the first play-off hole lifted her to an LPGA victory over Lizette Salas in the Indy Women in Tech Championship on Sunday.
South Korean Park’s third victory of the season saw her vault from fourth in the rankings to supplant Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn at the top.
Ariya, who needed a top-five finish to stay at the summit if Park won, finished tied for seventh.
Both Park and Salas finished 72 holes at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course on 23-under-par 265.
Salas started the day with a two-shot lead and was up by one until a bogey at the 17th. The American still had a chance to close out the victory in regulation but missed a birdie attempt at the 72nd hole.
She carded a final-round 70 while Park, who also had a chance to seal the win at the last hole in regulation, posted a 68.
Both Park and Salas were in the fairway at the first play-off hole, the par-four 18th.
Salas landed her approach at the front right of the green. She made a good effort with her birdie putt, but it slipped by to open the door for Park, who rattled in a 10-footer for the win.
“I’m very honoured to be ranked No.1 and I hope to maintain that ranking for a long time,” said Park, who held the top spot for one week in November 2017. “I will try my best.”
For Salas, it was a fifth runner-up finish on the LPGA tour, to go with one career victory.
“All I could ask for is an opportunity. It didn’t drop, so just got to go back to work,” she said.