South Korean Inbee Park fired a final round of four-under-par to finish at 15-under-par and capture her third LPGA Tour victory at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia this afternoon.
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Park who started the day two shots back from fellow compatriot and defending champion Na Yeon Choi, posted two birdies on the opening nine holes, while Choi carded three birdies and one bogey. Choi maintained her two shots lead with nine to go, however, four birdies in five holes from the 10th to 14th holes, saw Park take the lead at 17-under-par and hold a two shot lead with four to play.
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The final couple of holes were interesting with the top three players dropping shots, but Park held her nerve to record her second victory of 2012.
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“I’m very happy to win,” said Park. “I played for the second time here, and it’s the first time I’ve won twice in one year so I&aposm really proud of myself for that."
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“I think my golf has improved, everything, hitting the ball, chipping, putting,” said Park. “Everything has really improved. I worked really hard on my swing. I&aposve been hitting it very solid all year. So, yeah, that gave me a lot more birdie chances.”
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With the $285,000 first-place cheque, she increases career earnings to $4,935,252 and increases season earnings to $1,954,608- remains No. 1 on the 2012 season money list.
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It was the South Korean tenth-consecutive top-10 finish, she finished T8th at the Wegmans LPGA Championship, T2 at Manulife Financial LPGA Classic, T4 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G, T9 U.S. Women’s Open, won the Evian Masters Presented by Societe Generale, T3 Jamie Farr Toledo Classic Presented by Kroger, Owens Corning and O-1, T2 Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola, 2nd CN Canadian Women’s Open and 2nd RICOH Women’s British Open.
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Choi finished outright second after a final even-par round of 71, while Australian Karrie Webb finished outright third at 12-under-par and took home a cheque for just over US$130,000.
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The seven-time major champion was in the mix most of the day, particular after she got off to a flying start birding the first three holes. However an untimely bogey on the 7th halted her momentum. Webb birdied the 10th and 12th holes to stay in touch with the leaders, however Park’s birdies on the 13th and 14th holes saw Webb four back with four to play. However, Webb couldn’t quite get the putts to drop and a untimely bogey on the par 5 16th saw her challenge end.
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Scotland’s Catriona Matthew finished in fourth place at 11-under-par, while South Korean So Yeon Ryu was fifth a further shot back.
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It was a very good week for the Australian contingent with two out of the three finishing in the top 10. Along with Webb, Victorian Lindsey Wright posted a final round of four-under-par to finish at 9-under-par total and in a tie for sixth position with American Paula Creamer. Wright’s sixth place was her best finish this season on the LPGA.
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Katherine Hull finished in a tie for 46th at four-over-par.
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