Gorman grad Park nabs another LPGA victory

No. 1-ranked Inbee Park, a Bishop Gorman product, looked every bit at ease on her way to a second straight win — her fifth of the year — on Sunday at the LPGA NW Arkansas Championship in Rogers, Ark.

Park sank a 4-foot birdie on the first playoff hole against So Yeon Ryu. Park shot 4-under 67 in the final round to match fellow South Korean Ryu (69) at 12-under 201.

It was Park’s second straight playoff win after her finalday 39-hole effort at the PGA Championship. She has seven victories in her last 23 starts.

Also: 44-year-old journeyman Ken Duke made a 2½-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to beat Chris Stroud at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn. Duke shot 4-under 66 to tie Stroud (67) at 12-under 268.

Bubba Watson (70) had the lead before taking a triple bogey on the par-3 16th hole. Former UNLV standout Charley Hoffman (72), in a three-way tie with Watson and Graham DeLaet entering the final round, finished seventh along with fellow ex-Rebel Ryan Moore (68) at 272.

Craig Stadler birdied four of the first six holes, then hung on to win the Champions Tour’s Encompass Championship in Glenview, Ill., by one shot over Fred Couples (66) by sinking a par-saving 12-foot putt on the final hole. Stadler shot 1-under 71 to finish at 13-under 203.