“Worth giving it a Try”

This is what the spectators of the “2003 Dong Yang Insurance Cup: Best of the Best SBS Professional Golf Tour (Oct. 23 ~ 26)” said after watching Pak Se-ri tee off in her practice round. Pak will be playing a “battle of the sexes” as she will be the only female golfer participating in this tournament.

The tournament will take place in the western course (par 72, 7,052 yards) of the Lakeside Country Club in Yong-in, Kyung-ki Do. On October 19, when Pak took her practice round, she showed off her powerful drive shots. In most par-4 holes, Pak hit drives far enough which allowed her to hit her second shot with a 7-iron. In addition, her precise short game and putting skills will surely make qualifying an easy task.

Pak showed her confidence in an interview by stating, “I shook off the burden with today’s practice round. Once the tournament starts, the pressure will be high, but I feel confident, and the distance was not as hard to overcome as I had expected.” This is the first time Pak has publicly shown such confidence.

Out of the nine holes that Pak hit on this day, she only showed some difficulty on the 4th hole (par 4). The 4th hole is on an upslope and is 433 yards. Pak aimed at the green by hitting her second shot with a 5-iron, but was unable to place her shot within birdie range (within 3 meters from the hole).

On a par-5 hole, Pak was rather stable by hitting her second shot within 100 yards from the pin, her favorite distance. From then on she went to attempt a secured birdie.

In order to prepare herself for this tournament, Pak practiced on tee boxes used by male golfers in the U.S. Pak stated that her “score will be decided by how well I play on the green.” She also added that “having in consideration of the season, the green is in perfect condition. I believe that on the day of the tournament the green will be cut in a way for the ball to roll over it faster, but I like it like that better.”

Pak is planning on analyzing the full course with the help of her caddy, Collin Khan (UK, age 31), after he arrives in Seoul on October 20. They are expected to use computer software to determine the precise distance analysis and details of how to specifically overcome the course.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com