Harrison, NY—When Inbee Park is on her game there is no rival on the LPGA circuit who can match her unrelenting steadiness. Going into Sunday’s final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship here at Westchester CC the margin was two strokes. But the South Korean’s flawless 3rd round 66—featuring seven birdies against no bogeys—left little doubt that the only way Park could be beaten would be if a rival could outplay here in the final round. That was not happening and to ensure Park’s grand intention to vanquish the field—she made five final round birdies against no bogeys for the second straight day—scoring a 68, providing for a five-stroke cushion over runner-up and fellow countrywoman Sei Young Kim with a winning total of 273 (-19) for 72-holes.
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, formerly the LPGA Championship, is now in Park’s hands for the third straight year—a feat only matched by the great Annika Sorenstam from 2003-05. Park is quite comfortable in The Empire State. Of her six majors, four have come in New York State—three in succession as mentioned along with a victory in 2013 at the Women’s Open played at Sebonack on Eastern Long Island. Inbee also becomes the sixth player to post three victories in the event.
Park doesn’t have the length of such rivals as Brittany Lincicone or the athletic prowess of Suzanne Pettersen, but more than any other player Park commits the fewest breakdowns—physically and even more so mentally. She is also the most gifted on the short grass as he putting skills are dominant when on form.
