World No. 2 Inbee Park has a chance to create a remarkable record as well as win another major championship as the LPGA Tour gets serious in New York this week.
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, previously known as the LPGA Championship but one of the longest-running events on tour, has had a name change and a venue shift to Westchester Country Club.
Park, who sits just behind New Zealander Lydia Ko in the rankings, has won the last two LPGA Championships and is attempting a hat-trick. “Obviously I've never done anything three times in a row before — well, a couple majors — but three times defending, three times, never done that before, so that would be very special for me,’’ the South Korean told media at Westchester.
Park, a five-time major winner, said the course “feels like a true major golf course’’ and could be set up tough.
She said she was not feeling any pressure about her world ranking, despite the fact seven top-10 finishes and two wins this year put her in position to overtake Ko this week.
“I don't feel that much pressure going back to No. 1 or being No. 2,’’ she said. “I don't really worry about No. 1 or No. 2 anymore that much. I've been there before and I know how that feels. I want to be No. 1 when I'm ready.’’
There are five Australians playing – Karrie Webb, Minjee Lee, Katherine Kirk, Sarah Jane Smith and Sarah Kemp.
The 19-year-old Lee, now ranked 17th in the world, has a chance to overtake Webb, who is 16th, with a good result this week off the back of a win and a fourth place in the past two tournaments. Webb, 40, has been the top Australian player for at least 15 years.
Fox Sports has coverage from 3am Friday.