Park wins first career Vare Trophy, tops Ochoa by .03 in close race

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 21, 2004 - In what has turned out to be a breakout season for Korea's Grace Park, the 26-year-old has added another accolade to her resume. With rounds of 71-70-74-75 At the ADT Championship, Park topped Lorena Ochoa by .03 to win her first career Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average of the season. Park finished with a 69.99 average and joins Se Ri Pak (2003) as the second Korean to win the Vare Trophy in the 52-year history of the award.

"This is definitely one of my dreams come true and a goal of mine," said Park, who finished tied for 15th at the season-ending ADT Championship. "I'm feel very fortunate. Winning the Vare Trophy brings me one step closer to where I want to be each week and each year."

The award caps off a fantastic season for Park, who won her first major championship at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in March and added an additional victory at the CJ Nine Bridges Classic Presented by Sports Today in her home country of Korea. Park owns six LPGA titles, and the 2004 season marks the first time she has won more than one tournament in a year. She finished the season second on the ADT Official Money list with $1,525,471 in earnings.

Park is the 10th consecutive international player to win the Vare Trophy. Beth Daniel was the last U.S.-born player to claim the award, in 1994. Park's charge to the Vare Trophy came via 12 top-10 finishes that included 56 rounds under par, with 40 of those rounds in the 60s.

Annika Sorenstam finished the 2004 season with a 68.70 average, but posted only 66 rounds, four shy of the 70 rounds required to be eligible for the award.
Park joins an illustrious group of LPGA legends that have won the Vare Trophy, including 16 LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame members. Kathy Whitworth owns the most titles with seven, followed by JoAnne Carner, Mickey Wright and Sorenstam with five.