Beth Ann Nichols, Golfweek
KILDEER, Ill. — Caddie David Jones thinks there should be a plaque near the 16th green at Kemper Lakes Golf Club where Sung Hyun Park slashed through the weeds with a 58-degree wedge at the water’s edge, nestling it to 3 feet. The spectacular par save was the shot of the championship for Park, the player whose nickname in South Korea translates to “Shut up and attack!”
The normally stoic Park broke down in tears Sunday at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after securing her second major title in a playoff victory over fellow South Korean So Yeon Ryu. The emotional reaction surprised even Park, whose blank face and shy demeanor make her somewhat of a mystery to American fans and LPGA players alike. One thing on which everyone can agree — the talent is endless. It’s the reason she picked up the nickname “Tiger” shortly after joining the U.S.-based tour.
“Actually, this is my first time feeling like this kind of emotion,” Park said through an interpreter. “Like, I couldn’t help that.”
It was a release, said Jones, of all the pressure that had built up after four missed cuts in five weeks. That run included a victory at the 36-hole weather-shortened Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic in May, but even Park probably put an asterisk by it.
“She just had to get out of her own way,” said Jones, who calls Park the most naturally gifted athlete he has ever seen. “She’s so good, in a normal day, she would have to try and miss the cut.”
Handling the fame and pressure that comes with hailing from a golf-crazed culture such as South Korea plays as much a role in someone like Park’s success as any swing change. It’s a matter of comfort. To that end, Park quit reading her own press.
Ryu, a former No. 1, said the only way a player can get through that phase it to tackle it head on.
“When you fail,” Ryu said, “you start to realize how much pressure you’re holding on. … Then you start to think about how to manage the pressure.”
Park’s closing 3-under 69 was the day’s only bogey-free performance. She finished locked at 10-under 278 with Ryu (73) and Nasa Hataoka, a 19-year-old from Japan who closed with a 63 the week before in Arkansas to get her first win. Hataoka began the final round at the KPMG nine strokes back of Ryu and posted a closing 64 on the strength of two eagles. Her bid to complete the largest comeback in LPGA major championship history fell short on the first playoff hole after Park and Ryu both made birdies. As the storm clouds rolled into suburban Chicago, several members of Park’s South Korean fan club rolled out a congratulatory banner along with a heaping bouquet of roses and a bottle of bubbly.
“She likes Rose,” one noted as they awaited Park’s arrival near the 18th green.
It was a scene similar to the one that played out last year at the U.S. Women’s Open where Park claimed her first major title, setting up a season in which she took a share of LPGA Player of the Year honors with Ryu. The 24-year-old Park became the sixth South Korean to win multiple majors, joining Inbee Park (seven), Se Ri Pak (five), In Gee Chun (two), Jiyai Shin (two) and Ryu (two).
“This is my second major win in two years,” said a smiling Park, “and I can’t still believe what I’ve done, but I’m really happy.”
