Golf Australia announced today that 2008 Women’s US Open champion Inbee Park will join the stellar field in the 2009 Women’s Australian Open at The Metropolitan Golf Club from February 12-15. The 20 year old South Korean won the Women’s US Open by four strokes from Sweden s Helen Alfredsson at Interlachen Country Club in Minnesota. It was a first Major win for the rising star and built on her impressive fourth place finish at her first US Open in 2007. She added seven Top-10 finishes to her tally in 2008. Championship Director Trevor Herden said he was delighted to welcome Park to Melbourne and the pristine conditions at The Metropolitan. Having the defending US Open champion in the field is a real coup for our championship, Herden said. She’s a worId-class player and it will be fantastic to see her take on Katherine Hull and Karrie Webb on their home turf. Park said she was pleased to come to Melbourne and looking forward to taking on the challenges that Metropolitan has to offer. I m really looking forward to coming to Australia to challenge for the Women’s Australian Open title, Park said. I ve heard great things about Metropolitan s championship course and I ll need to have my game at its best to be up there on the final day.