Seri Finishes Third ``It Is Too Bad.``

Pak Se-Ri (24. Samsung Electronics Co.), who was aiming for a come-from-behind winning, finished the USA LPGA Tour, Canadian Women`s Open (total winning prize 1.2 million dollars) sharing the third place.

In the final fourth round held at the Angus Glen Golf Course (par 72. 6,385 yards), in Markham, Ontario, Canada, although Pak Se-Ri went after the leaders hitting four-under-par 68, she had to satisfy to finish 12-under-par 276 in the shared 3rd place, four strokes behind Anika Sorenstam (Sweden).

Although she finished the first round taking the shared first place, it was regrettable for Se-Ri to reduce just one stroke from the second round (72 strokes) and the third round (71 strokes).

Meanwhile, Sorenstam, who was silent for last three month after a win from the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship in May, won sixth championship this season leaving Pak Se-Ri two wins behind her. She also solidified her first place in the total prize-money list widening the gap between the second place by about 170,000 dollars.

After an hour delay due to the heavy rain, Pak Se-Ri pleasantly began her first hole (par 4) dropping a 5 meter birdie putt. However, she committed two consecutive bogies at the 10th, and 11th hole after adding a birdie at the seventh hole (par 5). Since then, although Se-Ri snatched 4 birdies without a bogie, she could not catch up with Sorenstam who safely added three under-pars.

In the meantime, Kim Mee-Hyun (24.KTF) entered her 11th `top 10` by adding five birdies without a bogie to finish at the shared 7th place (9-under-par 279). Park Hee-Jung (21) also shared the 10th place (8-under-par 280) finishing strong with 4-under-par 68.

Han Hee-Won (Fila Korea Co.) confirmed her first place at the rookie-of-the-year race taking the shared 21st place (4-under-par 284) by adding 29 points for the rookie-of-the-year title with the total point of 336 leaving Particia Meunier-Lebouc behind of her by 106 points.

Ahn Young-Sik ysahn@donga.com