“Couldn’t Be More Thrilled”

Pak Se-ri (CJ) expressed her excitement after achieving her longstanding dream.

Before the McDonald’s Championship, this season’s second major tournament, held in Maryland, U.S., Pak participated in the press conference on June 6.

In this press conference, in which only the major players were invited, she said, “Right now, I couldn’t be more thrilled; maybe it’s because my dreams have finally come true.”

She also added, “I am lucky to have achieved the goal I set when I first arrived in America and started to play golf. I am ecstatic.”

When asked about her most memorable moment since coming to America in 1998, she answered, “Last year when I won the McDonald’s Championship. It was all the more memorable because it was a hard-fought game, won only after striving until the very end of a prolonged game.”

“For the last eight to nine years, I have been struggling to perform at 100%, or 110%, of my potential. I have experienced tough times. Realizing that it is impossible to be perfect was not easy for me, but now I have come to the realization that I am lucky and blessed to be doing what I love,” said Pak, showing more maturity than before.

With Pat Hurst and Julieta Granada, Pak will tee off in the first round at 10:16 a.m. on June 7.

After the first round, Pak is scheduled to attend a congratulatory ceremony to celebrate her induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame, along with her co-players at the clubhouse.

Unlike Pak, who concluded the press conference in a friendly mood, Michel Wie (18, Nike Golf) was busy responding to a number of aggressive questions from journalists that stemmed from the fact that Wie withdrew after shooting 14 over in 16 holes. The suspicion is rising that she deliberately halted the round because there is an LPGA rule banning non-tour members for the season if they shoot 88 or higher.

“Honestly, it was because of my injured left wrist, and I should have given up earlier, at the 10th hole,” said Wie.

Regarding this issue, tournament host Annika Sorenstam expressed her uncomfortable feelings, saying, “Whatever the reason was for her halting the round, I was embarrassed. I have also experienced injuries and it normally takes a couple of weeks to recover; but Wie started training very soon for the McDonald`s LPGA Championship. It is ridiculous.”

Both Sorenstam and Pak are aiming for their fourth victory in the McDonald’s championship.

kjs0123@donga.com