Seven-time major champion Inbee Park missed her birdie putt on Hole 10, the eighth playoff hole on Monday morning against first-time LPGA winner Pernilla Lindberg. Park was previously undefeated in major championship playoffs, winning the 2013 Wegmans LPGA Championship in a three-hole playoff with Catriona Matthew and taking the 2014 Wegmans LPGA Championship in a one-hole playoff over Brittany Lincicome. However, she was unable to pocket the win at this year’s ANA Inspiration.
“Yeah, I’m really satisfied with the way I’m playing this year, and even if I didn’t win today, I felt like I put up a good play this week all week. Even in the playoffs I didn’t make much mistakes, but I just couldn’t make the putts,” said the 2018 Bank of Hope Founders Cup champion. “The morning greens were a little bit slower than I anticipated, I hit a couple putts short. I had a couple of opportunities. But I’m a little bit disappointed, but I’m really happy the way I played this week.”
Park continues to show humility about her performance and how she managed to keep her putter hot in the playoff. She said, “Yeah, I don’t know, but it just happened. Especially on No. 17th hole, I really thought that I had to make that putt. Yeah, I think I made a great putt there. I probably should have made the birdie on No. 18, but it just didn’t happen.”
Known for her cool composure, Park also showed great sportsmanship when commenting about her loss to Lindberg.
“Yeah, I’m really happy for her. This one was not an easy major win for her as well. I mean, 8-hole playoff, I’ve never done something like that before either. So, sure, she’ll have a great future and a great championship. Congratulations to her.”
The eight-hole playoff was the longest sudden-death playoff in LPGA major championship history. The LPGA Fall of Famer honored Lindberg’s performance as one that just couldn’t be beat.
“So, I mean, it’s just the putt Pernilla made on the last was a champion’s putt. You really can’t beat that.”
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