SUNG HYUN PARK THE FAN FAVORITE HEADING INTO FINAL ROUND
In the eyes of many at SKY72 Golf & Resort, Sung Hyun Park will be the player to beat when she starts the final round of the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship on Sunday in a tie for second - two strokes behind surprise leader Jin Young Ko.
World No. 2 Park has already triumphed twice during her stunning rookie season on the LPGA Tour, including a first major title at the U.S. Women’s Open, yet the player herself said she expected to feel tense as she prepares to win a tournament on home soil she has long cherished.
“I think I will be very nervous when tomorrow comes,” said Park, after firing a four-under 68 that included five birdies in front of massive galleries on Saturday. “I’m not that far behind the lead and it will be the last round. I’m sure the competition will be tough.
“At the same time, this is an event that I really want to win. It’s an event held by my main sponsor, and the enthusiasm of the spectators is unbelievable. It’s like a major tour event. Also, I feel quite comfortable in Korea and I was quite close to winning last year. I definitely hope to win.”
KO LOOKS TO BENEFIT FROM MEMORIES OF WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN DISAPPOINTMENT
Two years ago, Jin Young Ko was playing in her first major championship and her first tournament outside Asia when she lost a three-stroke lead on the back nine of the Women’s British Open at Turnberry and finished runner-up to Inbee Park.
Since then, she has matured as a golfer and gone on to win nine times on the LPGA Tour of Korea, experiences she hopes she can turn to her advantage when she carries a two-stroke lead into the final round of the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship on Sunday.
“I would be extremely happy to win,” said Ko, who will play with fellow Koreans Sung Hyun Park and In Gee Chun in a high-profile grouping for the final round on the Ocean Course. “The Women’s British Open was my first time playing abroad and I think I exceeded my own expectations. I did quite well then, but I was also a bit disappointed not to have had better results at that time, so I would be extremely happy to win tomorrow.
“Today I’m in a really good position going into the final round tomorrow, and an opportunity is being presented to me. At the same time, Sung Young and In Gee are fantastic players. They also have major wins under their belt. I have a lot to learn from them. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll have a good time with them.”
HENDERSON EYES ‘AWESOME’ PROSPECT OF LPGA VICTORY IN ASIA
The prospect of winning her first ever LPGA Tour title in Asia put a broad smile on Brooke Henderson’s face after the Canadian had moved into contention for the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship by firing a bogey-free 68 in the third round on Saturday.
Earlier this month, she stormed to a five-stroke victory at the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open to claim her first LPGA title outside North America and now she will enter Sunday’s final round five strokes off the pace - although admittedly with a lot of work to do.
“That’s really exciting,” Henderson said after finishing at 10-under 206. “There are a few people that I would have to climb over, but if I could go out and shoot an under-par round, minus 6 or something like that, and put some pressure on the leaders and kind of be the leader in the clubhouse, that’s my goal. I would like to do that.”
As for the opportunity to win for the first time in Asia? “Yeah, that’s awesome,” she grinned. “I was really excited to get that win outside of North America a few weeks ago, and so to get one in Asia would be really cool, especially with all the fans that have been supporting us the past few days.”
WORLD NO. 1 SPOT WITHIN REACH FOR SUNG HYUN PARK
Sung Hyun Park fired a four-under 68 to end the third round in a tie for second at the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship on Saturday, just two strokes off the pace. Her position is significant as it ensures that the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings remains in play this week for Park.
Based on projections run by the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings projections tool, Park could take over at the top if any of the following scenarios happen (Park is currently 2nd in the Rolex Rankings behind So Yeon Ryu):
- Park wins on Sunday AND Ryu finishes in solo 4th place or worse
- Park wins AND Ryu finishes in a tie for third with two other players
- Park wins AND Ryu finishes in a tie for second with five other players
If Park finishes 2nd and Ryu earns no rankings points this week (ie. finishes worse than 65th), Ryu is projected to still be World No.1.
TO LOSE OR NOT TO LOSE TOP SPOT, NO COMPLAINT FROM RYU
World No. 1 So Yeon Ryu was entirely phlegmatic when asked on Saturday if she was at all concerned that she could lose the top spot in the Rolex Rankings after this week’s LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship.
“First of all, I cannot control who is going to win the tournament,” said Ryu, who will start the final round SKY72 Golf & Resort on Sunday in a tie for 14th, seven shots off the lead. “Whoever win the tournament, well-deserved. So if even if Sung Hyun is going to win and I cannot keep my position, you know, I can’t complain.
“Maybe I should just complain to myself that I couldn’t win. And even though if I’m going to lose my spot, that’s maybe another motivation, so I just keep practicing well, keep practicing hard and keep just working hard.
“It might feel weird going to 2nd after I’m being No. 1 for more than couple months, but right now what I’m really interested in is I just want to enjoy my game, which means if I’m going to get back to my like ideal swing, I’m going to be have more positive mind and be more fun to play and it’s going to bring me to win the tournament.”
Ryu has been happy with her form over the past two days as she bounced back from an opening 72 on the Ocean Course with consecutive 68s.
“The first round, my shot wasn’t really great so I couldn’t really make enough birdie chance, and because my shot wasn’t in good shape, I just couldn’t fully focus on putting and that was why I couldn’t hit under par,” she said.
“After I finished first round, I practiced some long game and then I figured out what was the problem, and then that key point I worked it out really well for yesterday and today. So that is how I was able to shot 4-under par last two days. Hopefully I can make more birdies for tomorrow as well.”
)
)
)
)
