“It’s Britney, B—-.”
Perhaps Se Ri Pak, 32, can borrow the intro line from the American pop singer’s 2007 hit comeback single, Gimme More. Just don’t call this a comeback. Some thought the game had passed her by. Some even wondered whether she had been obsoleted by younger, more powerful models.
But on Sunday, the original Korean golf diva dusted off the ole’ clubs and showed the young lasses that, yep, she’s still got it.
Her victory at the LPGA Bell Micro Classic in Mobile, Alabama ended the longest winless stretch—three years—of her career. Pak entered the final round at Magnolia Grove at 13-under 203, and in a three-way tie for the lead with Norwegian Suzann Pettersen and American Brittany Lincicome. After heavy rain suspended final-round play after just four holes, tournament officials decided to reduce the event to 54 holes, meaning the three co-leaders—Pak, Pettersen, and Lincicome—had to complete a playoff for the title. Pak clearly relishes those high-pressure situations, as she was 5-0 in career playoffs entering Sunday’s tiebreaker. As her younger opponents wilted under that pressure, the grizzled Pak calmly sunk a 10-foot birdie putt on the third extra hole to collect her 25th LPGA tournament win and show her doubters that she’s not yet ready for a final curtain call.
She might even be setting up for a grand encore at next month’s LPGA Championship; after all, she’s won the event in every World Cup year since 1998 (winning titles in 1998, 2002, and 2006). With the 2010 Cup getting set for kickoff next month, and Korea’s sporting hopes pinned to its national team, Pak could once again steal the show with a platinum performance.
It’s Se Ri, B—-.
– TBY
Photo Credit: Press-Register, Mike Kittrell
