Han Hee-won Wins at Safeway Classic

Han Hee-won (26• FILA Korea) has quenched Korean women players’ long-awaited thirst for winning.

On September 20, Han Hee-won achieved a victory at the Safeway Classic LPGA tour ($1.2 million in total prize money) at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club, Portland, Oregon in the U.S. in a playoff over Laurie Kane.

Han began the day three shots behind the leader, Kane (Canada). But by hitting a five-foot straight putt in the first playoff hole, Han finally gained a LPGA Cup by catching Kane with a 5-under-par 67 for a total of 9-under 207.

It was her third career LPGA championship in one year and one month at the Safeway Classic LPGA Tour since her second victory at the Wendy’s Invitational in August 2003.

Han Hee-won’s win was the third for Korean women players this season, following Park Ji-eun at the Nabisco Championship in March and Pak Se-ri at the Michelob Ultra Open in May.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com