Pak Wins MBC Xcanvas, Jee Takes Second

Three birdies and OB`s from the first hole. Finishing up the fourth and fifth with miraculous putting. Se Ri Pak excited fans who packed the gallery to watch the Korean star.

Round 3 of the 2003 MBC Xcanvas Women`s Open held yesterday at 88 C.C. in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province. Pak reduced two strokes on five birdies and three bogeys, recording 12-under 204. The amateur star Jee Eun-hee tried to catch up with Pak, but to no avail and in the end, Pak came out as the winner. This is her first "domestic" victory in six years ever since she made inroads on the U.S. tour circuit. It, however, is only her thirteenth career title in Korea.

From the second round, Pak began to lead with 7-under 65. From first hole, she snatched up three birdies.

Pak made an OB with a drive which landed on the right hand side of the fourth hole. Probably due to her desire to renew her own Korean record set at the Christian Dior Open in 1995.

Her second shot landed in the rough, rendering a 4-on almost impossible. She barely carried out a 100-yard follow-through near the green with a 7 iron, and made out with 5-on with her sand-wedge. The shot landed 7m away from the pin. Thus, even Pak was not able to finish up with one clean stroke.

Contrary to "ordinary" expectations, Pak showed consistent putting efforts with her balls always finding their mark. Even on the fifth hole, where she made consecutive OB`s, she wrapped it up with spectacular single putts.

Pak donated her entire prize won in the championship to children without parents and those suffering from poverty.

Jee, a seventeen-year-old player, who was behind Pak one-stroke, successfully made a name for herself as a promising future pro golfer by successfully securing second place in two championships thus far.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com