Park wins Australian Open

Seven-time major champion Inbee Park saw a seven-shot lead shrink to two shots Sunday before winning the Women’s Australian Open by three strokes to clinch her first LPGA title in almost two years. Park started her final round three shots in front of 19-year old South Korean compatriot Ayeon Cho. She bogeyed the ninth hole but still turned five shots ahead of the field and went out to a seven shot lead early on the back nine at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club. But the 31-year-old former World No. 1 faltered briefly, bogeying the 14th and 16th holes and walking off the 16th green only two shots ahead of fast-finishing American Amy Olsen. Olsen had four birdies in a 3-under final round 70 and was in the clubhouse with an 11-under total of 281. France’s Perrine Delacour and China’s Yu Liu also loomed into contention, though Liu faded with bogeys on her last three holes. Park held her nerve, making birdie on the par-5 17th and par on the 18th to win her 20th LPGA title and to gain a ranking boost which lifts her chance of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games at which she will defend the gold medal. Former University of Arkansas golfer Maria Fassi finished in a tie for 13th after a final-round 76. She was eight strokes behind the winner. Stacy Lewis (Razorbacks) shot a 70 on Sunday, completing the tournament at 3-under par and tied for 34th. Alana Uriell (Razorbacks) shot a 76 on Sunday, tied for 62nd by finishing 1-over for the tournament.