Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Choi raises game — and her status
NAPLES — Na Yeon Choi has a morning appointment at Isleworth to get a tour around the facilities.
Should she need to show any credentials for membership, she can bring along that shiny new CME Group Titleholders trophy. Or if she wants, the U.S. Women’s Open hardware probably would work just as well.
Choi completed a sweep of the LPGA’s two biggest paychecks on Sunday, steadying her game on the back nine at Twin Eagles Club for a pair of birdies that proved the difference in her duel with fellow Korean So Yeon Ryu.
“I’m really happy with how I played this season,” said Choi, whose closing 2-under-par 70 was worth $500,000. “I won my first major tournament, and this tournament is very big to me.”
Her timing certainly couldn’t have been better. For one thing, the victory came with her mother in attendance – the first win Jeong Me Song had seen up close since her daughter joined the LPGA.
There’s a practical side toMom’s visit, too – to help out as Choi searches for bigger quarters in Orlando. “I think I can buy [something] bigger than I thought,” said the 25-year-old pro.
Choi also wants to upgrade her practice facilities. Swing coach Kevin Smeltz suggested Isleworth, saying the practice area there would really help her short game.
“I think it’s a good investment in myself,” said Choi, adding that her interest there doesn’t extend to her house search.
Choi began Sunday’s round with a one-shot lead, but briefly fell behind Ryu with a double bogey at No.3. The early stumble, though, might have been just the tonic.
“At that moment, I felt more comfortable than leading,” she said. “Maybe it sounds a little weird, but I think I like to chase somebody. Then I can play more aggressive.”
Deadlocked with five holes remaining, Ryu blinked with a three-putt bogey at No. 14. Choi then took the safe play to a birdie at the short par-4 16th, knocking a wedge to 5 feet to move to 14-under and open some breathing room.
“I couldn’t trust myself on the green,” said Ryu, who also closed with a 70. “I really couldn’t feel my stroke today. If I could make an easy par putt, maybe I could have had a chance to win.”
Brittany Lincicome finished third, three strokes off the pace after a 70. Boynton Beach’s Karrie Webb (69) was another shot back, followed by a struggling Ai Miyazato (74).
Inbee Park, who locked up the money title when Player of the Year Stacy Lewis fell out of Titleholders contention, added the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average when she finished the week at 6-under 282.
Park crossed the $2 million threshold in earnings and posted a 70.21 final average; Lewis (Palm Beach Gardens) ended her year at 70.33.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself this week,” said Park. “This week felt like it was longer than the whole season.”
Lincicome, Lewis, Paula Creamer and Lexi Thompson have one more round of golf at Twin Eagles, playing with past LPGA stars in the ISPS Handa Heroes charity event.
Lewis will team with Betsy King in the nine-hole scramble, with other tandems consisting of Lincicome/Jan Stephenson, Creamer/Nancy Lopez and Thompson/Pat Bradley.
Golf Channel will televise the event Wednesday night.