Pak Sank with Two Bogeys

Last year’s 11 championships-winner Annika Sorenstom brushed off Se Ri Pak and grabbed the title for the first time this year.

It was determined in the round 3 of the US LPGA Office Depot Championship held yesterday in California, USA.

Sorenstom got it almost free. She succeeded in reducing her strokes only by one. But all of her competitors ended up in "over-par" and gave her 4-stroke lead.

Defending her championship, Pak tried catching up with Sorenstom and got close to her by one-shot difference. But committing two consecutive bogeys in the 15th and 16th, Pak remained at top second.

Mi Hyun Kim, in the meanwhile, failed to maintain her physical condition from the fatigue of finishing up the remaining holes left over from the previous day, and ruined her putting. Consequently, she had to settle for 8th spot with three over par and 75 strokes.

Jeong Jang, another South Korean golfer, performed well and rose up to the sixth spot jointly with Sophie Gustafson. In total, three South Korean golfers ranked within top ten on the list.

Catching up a birdie in the first hole, Pak continued her momentum with two more in the sixth and seventh, although she "halted" a little in the third.

Cutting down one more shot in the 13th, Pak got one-stroke close to Sorenstom, who did a bogey here.

Losing the green chance in 15th, Pak recorded a bogey, and another in the 16th. She also failed to reduce in the last 17th hole, leading to her inability to defend her last year’s title.

The US LPGA Tour will continue in Las Vegas, after taking a one-week break during Master’s, or a men’s major, which will take place this week.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com