Seri Pak, 4th `Reign`

`No Reverse Allowed` Seri Pak (26·CJ) captured her 3rd victory of the season.

The final 4th round of US LPG Tour Jamie Farr Kroger Classic (Total prize money $1,000,000) held in Ohio Sylvania Highland Meadow GC (Par 71) on the 18th. Seri Pak had won the competition three times in her five participations until the last year, and Jamie Farr Kroger Classic has become one of the most promising places for her winning.

Seri Pak was leading the game in the 3rd round and marked 13-under-par 271, 2 ahead of her junior and former National Teammate Hee-won Han (25, Fila Korea). She went on top for the 3rd time (total 21 wins) this year by grabbing the first victory in 4 months.

Also, she added $150,000 for her prize money, breaking through her $1,000,000 ($1,110,958) in the season, mounting to 2nd rank in prize money and accelerating toward `Prize Money Queen` and `Player of the Year` title.

The confrontation against Hee-won Han this day was a fierce competition, both players not budging an inch.

Seri Pak faulted a double bogie in the 16th hole (Par 4) where she let her T-shot ball down in the rough. Hee-won Han chased her intensely and finally tied the game (total 12 under-par). The second shot from Seri didn`t reach the green in this hole, and her third shot went down to the bunker. She just succeeded in putting her forth shot on green, but failed in her attempt for bogie-putting.

Still, Seri Pak patiently made a 270 yard driver shot that went across the fairway and then down right in front of green with #3 wood. Then she won the game with a successful 1.5m birdie putting.

Hee-won Han, getting behind by 1, had an eye at final 18th hole (par 5) to reverse the game once more, but recorded bogie with her shots falling on rough successively. She lost the game by 2. However, Hee-won Han marked $897,594 for her prize money this season, $1,000,000 before her eyes since her advance to America 3 seasons ago.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com