Delasin Alarmed Se-Ri

Pak Se-Ri (24, Samsung Electronics) failed to earn a come-from-behind victory to tie for the second place in the Samsung World Championship (purse 750,000 dollars).

In the final round at Hiddenbrook GC (par 72), Vallejo, California, Pak bogeyed at three par-three holes because of the inaccurate putting, playing an even-round to finish at 7-under-par 281. So, Pak failed to catch up with Delasin (21, USA), who recorded a 11-under-par 277 by lessening three more strokes in the final round.

Pak came within one stroke of her champion group contender Delasin after dropping two front-nine birdies on holes seven and eight. However, Delasin did not allow more chase-up with the enticing putting sense, never three putting throughout the final round. In particular, the Hiddenbrook GC was like a home course for Filipino American Delasin who had spent her junior career in Vallejo.

An foreign press evaluated that ``Delasin`s two previous tour victories came at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic in Ohio, where she twice came from behind to beat Pak on Sunday….She defeated again Pak in the final round as well as the second round. With the daunting rounding, Delasin rose up as a new LPGA star.``

Meanwhile, although Pak lost her sixth win this year, she obtained a thrust toward the single season money title, the best honor for golfers. Adding the prize of 81,500 dollars for second place co-winner, Pak marked total 1,533,009 dollars this year to chase up Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) by 150,000 dollars, who tied the 10th place with a 2-over-par 290.

Therefore, the Sports Today CJ Nine Bridges Classic (purse 1.5 million dollars) that will be held at Cheju Island on 19th would be a watershed for deciding the money title winner. If Pak can add the winner prize of 225,000 dollars, she can move up to the leader in the money ranking and can share the lead with Sorenstam in the wins ranking.

Ahn Young-Sik ysahn@donga.com