Se Ri Pak, "Almost There"

Se Ri Pak was just one shot behind the leader. The difference in ranking means almost nothing to Pak, who has a renowned persistence. She could turn it around and pull out a victory at any moment.

It was the third round of British Women`s Open (total prize money: $1.6 million), the last major of the US LPGA Tour, which took place yesterday at Lytham and St. Annes Golf Club in England.

Challenging for her career fifth major title, Se Ri Pak was three-under on six birdies and three bogeys for her third consecutive day. Her total was nine-under 207, putting her jointly with Wendy Ward (USA) at second spot on the leader board. Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (France) was 10-under, leading the tournament single-handedly. Now ten weeks into pregnancy, Meunier-Lebouc won her season major title at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Annika Sorenstam was fourth on 8-under, while Karrie Webb, who is aiming at her career fourth title of this major, was fifth on 7-under.

Players in the leading group are expected to demonstrate what it means by a major through fierce competition in the final round. "It doesn`t matter with whom to vie for the championship. It`s just a struggle against me. All I have to do is do my best," said Pak. Among the golfers ranked within top ten, Pak only hit an average of sixth shots through the three days.

When Pak won her first career major in 2001 at the British Women`s Open, she was four shots behind. But she pulled out a victory at the end. The same drama took place twice this season.

"Everything`s ready. I feel like million bucks. I will play smart and aggressive as much as I could," promised Pak.

Pak swallowed bitterness in 1998 at this major due to lack of experience and bad weather. Thus, she has prepared herself thoroughly for this game.

She demonstrated her preparations in the third round again. Pak holed a 1.5m birdie on the 11th hole. Then, on the 13th, she also holed a birdie putt and began to lead by herself. She continued the upward move up to the 16th. But, in the 17th and 18th, she made consecutive bogeys and pulled her ranking down to the second.

Hee-Chung Park pulled her spot from 34th to 16th on 2-under, and Hee-Won Han was ranked at 23rd.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com