SE RI PAK ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RETIRE

Following the conclusion of her opening round at the JTBC Founders Cup, LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak went on Golf Channel to announce her retirement at the end of the 2016 season.

“So basically 2016 is my final season for the full-time tour,” Pak said. “It’s pretty hard to make decision to be retiring. But it’s a time for me to be. At the same time I learn a lot and I’m trying to share all my skills and all these dreams. So that’s where I plan to be the next step of my life. I just want to make dreams come true, and at the same time I know I loved playing golf, but I know I have another dream. So this is my last year.”

While Pak may be walking away from the LPGA she isn’t walking away from the golf world as she plans to stay involved with the sport and give back to growing the game for future generations.

“Hopefully I’m going back to my country and I do all those for young players that are trying to play the LPGA or international, I’m trying to help them as much as I could,” Pak explained. “And a lot of players have such talent, and the young kids, they’re trying to make their dream. So I’m trying to make possible for them to follow their dreams. So that’s my plans.”

Pak is one of the most decorated golfers in history with 25 LPGA Tour wins including five Majors. Pak’s victory at the 1998 U.S. Women’s Open was seen by many as the moment that inspired a nation of South Koreans to take up the game.

“I grew up seeing her play,” said Rolex Rankings No. 2 and Pak’s fellow countrywoman Inbee Park. “Obviously she’s had such a nice career and she’s inspired so many young players who are out here right now. Seeing her play was a thrill for us. It’s sad that she’s leaving but I’m sure she’s ready for the second part of her life.”

CYDNEY CLANTON #ACEDIT TO WIN A CAR

Cydney Clanton hit her 9-iron a perfect 141 yards to find the bottom of the cup on the 17th hole at the JTBC Founders Cup. With the ace, Clanton took home a new 2016 Kia K900 VIP.

“I was looking at the car. I said, I thought someone might do it,” Clanton said. “And I was like, you know, I kind of had the same feeling, but I was sitting there looking at the car, and I was like, if I win the car, I need to change the rims. I’m not real keen on those. But that’s a really nice car. So just got a good number. The girl in front of me that went said that they were playing a touch further, and so with that I just kind of had the confidence to hit the full 9-iron. I hit the full 9-iron, looked really good. It was falling just a little left right at the hole, and I guess it one-hopped in, but none of us saw it.”

Despite not seeing the hole-in-one, which was the third of her career, Clanton was still able to celebrate it with her group.

“I guess the reaction had already happened once we had walked up, because everybody else was cheering, so once we realized that it was in the hole, everyone gave me a high five and it was really cool,” Clanton explained. “But the thing about it is I was only halfway through my round, so at that point I was trying to like calm myself down and kind of get back into what I needed to do for the next hole.”

Clanton was able to do just that by shooting a 4-under 68 on the day.

In addition to winning the car, Clanton also took home an Acer Aspire Switch tablet. Fans can follow each hole-in-one and enter to win a sweepstakes on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #AcedIt. Winners will be selected to win an Acer Aspire prize package after every hole-in-one starting March 17 at the JTBC Founders Cup and running through the CME Group Tour Championship in November.

Notes and Interviews - Rd.1 JTBC Founders Cup

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