There was a different look out in Phoenix last week as the LPGA put on its Founders Cup event, honoring the women who were bold enough to go out and play golf for a living when the money was scarce.
Inbee Park has been missing from the scene due to a string of injuries that took her out of action and saw her fall from No. 1 to No. 19 in the world rankings.
She was back with a fury at the Wildfire Golf Club. She was strong over the weekend with a 63 on Saturday and a 67 to close things out and post 19-under for a whopping five-shot victory.
She’s a walking Hall-Of-Famer with 19 wins, seven majors and an Olympic Gold Medal. She was the Olympic Torch Bearer for South Korea at the recent winter games.
“I didn’t expect to win very early [in the season], I mean obviously, after a long break,” Park said after her win. “In Singapore, I felt like my ball striking was quite good I and just needed to work on the putter a little bit. It has worked pretty good this week.”
What made things even more interesting was 54-year-old Laura Davies, who equaled Park’s 63 on Saturday and inserted herself into the hunt, looking to become the oldest winner ever on the LPGA Tour. Her closing 69 left her in a tie for second with American Marina Alex and Ariya Jutanugarn.
Davies had not won since 2001 and is well-known for her dislike of practice sessions.
“It would have been huge,” Davies said about a possible win. “I knew what the record was and that I hadn’t won in who knows how long. It was as nervous as I’ve ever felt,” she said about her feelings on No. 1. “I almost shanked my drive and made bogey but then I chipped in for eagle on No. 2 and that calmed me down. I was four over after six holes on Thursday so I’m quite pleased how I fought back.”
4 Comments
beege
Tom,
i have one comment on the LPGA….Laura Davies is in the World golf hall of fame but not the LPGA hall of fame? HELP ME PLEASE!!!
also i want sister jean on my side
bob
Tom Edrington
Yes, the LPGA Hall of Fame is the most closed-minded entity in all of sports…..There are GREAT players who are not in there because of the Hall’s ridiculous, out-dated points system. Yeah, I finally got a chance to take in some March Madness, I picked out the close games and watch the last five minutes……that’s all you need to see….I think Kentucky has the best path to the Final 4.
beege
it appears that way–since its in atlanta they might as well call it catlanta they will mob the city–i am on my way to atl…hoping for a great weekend.
the thought that they cannot change and get her in the hall is lunacy…come on ladies get with it…2018 not 1988!!!
p.s.-the dukees look tough…. by the way 3 teams left in the event have the same nickname–can you name them?
Tom Edrington
I like Kentucky into the final four, can Duke be there as well? Don’t see why not! Have fun!