The Kia Classic was just another walk in the “Park” for the world’s fourth-ranked player — Inbee Park.
Park finished off a wire-to-wire victory Sunday at the Aviara Country Club and made it win number 21 for her Hall of Fame career. Her closing 70 got her to 14-under par, five clear of Lexi Thompson and Amy Olson. It also got her within four victories of Se Ri Pak, the all-time winner (25) among South Korean golfers.
“She’s somebody that I always looked up to when I was growing up, and obviously she’s always big in my heart,” Park said about Pak. “Trying to follow her footstep is always a great thing. Really happy that I’m getting close.
“It was a great week this week,” Park said. “It was my first week back out in three months or so, and I played so good. I mean, I couldn’t believe how I was doing out there this week. I thought this week was just kind of a preparation for next week, but I exceeded so much more. I’m just really happy.”
That “next week” that Park referred to is the LPGA Tour’s first major championship of 2021 — the ANA Inspiration — and Park now has some nice momentum heading to what used to be the Dinah Shore Classic.
Park took the lead from the get-go last Thursday with an opening 66 then followed it up with a pair of 69s and two-under par 70 on Sunday.
“Inbee played great, so she was a tough chase,” Thompson said. “But I’m just happy with where my game is going into next week.” Thompson closed with a three-under par 69 and finished at nine-under par along with Olson.
World’s No. 1, Jin Young Ko, has her game heading in the right direction with the ANA up this week. She closed with a round of 70 and finished solo fourth.
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baxter cepeda
The Queeeeeeen!