by REERA YOO | @reeraboo
editor@charactermedia.com
South Korean golfer Park Inbee completed a career grand slam on Sunday with her three-shot victory at the Ricoh Women’s British Open in Turnberry, Scotland, reports the Associated Press.
“This is something I have been dreaming of all my life and all my career,” Park said after winning the tournament. “I don’t know what else to go for now.”
Park, who is ranked first in the world, picked up seven shots in her last 12 holes for a 7-under-65 to beat 20-year-old South Korean Ko Jin-young, who lost the lead when she hit her approach shot on the par-4 No. 16 right and into a stream. Park captured her seventh career major at 12-under 276.
Earlier this year, the 27-year-old golfer won three other majors: ANA Inspiration, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open. With her most recent victory, Park became only the seventh female player to win four different majors in a single season, joining the grand slam club behind Louise Suggs, Mickey Wright, Pat Bradley, Juli Inkster, Karrie Webb and Annika Sorenstam.
Although Park hasn’t won the Evian Championship since it was given the status of fifth major in 2013, the LPGA Tour is calling Park’s achievement a career grand slam, sparking debate in the golf community. The tour confirmed in a statement that any player who wins four consecutive majors in a single season will be acknowledged for accomplishing a grand slam while players who win all five will be recognized for a “super grand slam.”
However, the debate is likely to continue until Park claims the Evian title next month in France. She did win Evian in 2012, so it’s very possible that she can do it again.
“I feel like I’ve won all the majors in women’s golf,” Park told AP, trying to put an end to the debate. “Every major was very, very special to me. But to wrap it up with the British Open is just much more special.”
After playing her first tournament outside of Asia, Ko is just beginning her golf career. She finished runner-up on 9 under after a 71, followed by South Korean Ryu So-yeon who tied for third place on 8-under with New Zealander Lydia Ko.
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Featured image by Jan Kruger/Getty Images, courtesy of LPGA
