Park Hee-chong: “I’m champ, too”

Koala Park Hee-chong (22, CJ39Shopping) won the championship, the second time in her career, in the US LPGA Tour. She pulled it out against Han Hee-won (24, Fila Korea) in a playoff.

The final 4 rounds in the 2002, $950,000 Big Apple Classic on the 6,161-yard, par-71 Wykagyl Country Club, Ruchelle, N.Y. in US.

Park recorded 14 under pars and 270 shots in total with 5 buddies and 2 boggie (2 under pars and 69 shots), reaching a draw with Han. In the following overtime, she made a buddy in the first hole, winning $142,500.

It is her second championship in her career after winning the William’s Championship in last September.

On the other hand, Han, who performed best among the new last year, failed again in the final despite her toughest battle (4 under pars and 676 shots) against Annika Sorentam (13 under pars and 271 shots, Sweden), one of the best players in this Championship. Previously in April, she lost a championship in the final. Sorentam failed her chance at the buddy putting at the final 18th hole (par 6 & 481 yards) in the regular rounds, tipping the balance toward Han. But Han’s calm course management of her tea shot, which landed in the rough in the first hole (18th hole) in the overtime, snatched the game for her. She made 3 on, 2.5 m from the hole cup, out of the tea shot.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com