Two-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Inbee Park has one of the most iconic swings on the LPGA Tour and perhaps the most effective over the past 15 years. It has led the Korean star to 20 LPGA titles and a handful of victories between the LET, JLPGA, KLPGA and ALPG Tours.
Her swing was even a topic of conversation with PGA Tour star and former World No. 1 Adam Scott in August ahead of The Northern Trust.
“It’s so slow and deliberate,” said Scott. “To me, that’s the extreme opposite of what I feel when I’m not swinging well. I focus on having the slowest backswing possible. I’ve kind of kept returning to this very deliberate backswing to keep the pace off the ball slow.”
For someone with a steady, beautiful swing of their own, Scott’s admiration means a little extra for Park.
“When I was growing up, I always thought that Adam Scott was like an idol for having a great swing. He has always had a great swing and he is a great golfer,” said Park. “It’s always an honor to get a compliment like that. The rhythm that I have since I was a little kid, I haven’t really changed. It is kind of a natural thing for me.”
Park will be swinging purposefully this week at Champions Golf Club with ambitions of becoming just the seventh player in championship history to capture the Harton S. Semple Trophy three or more times. She begins the quest at 10:59 a.m. CT tomorrow off No. 10 tee of the Jackrabbit Course with good friend So Yeon Ryu and Ariya Jutanugarn.
“I have played with So Yeon in practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday, and we played Sunday [in Dallas] together. I told her we’re playing six days in a row together and I know you missed me, but I think that should be enough of us,” Park said laughingly. “Anyway, it’s just fun to play with a best friend and obviously playing with Ariya is always fun. It’s a good group.”