It wasn’t that long ago that Hee Young Park had to be convinced by her newlywed husband to stay in golf. Faced with the task of eight daunting rounds at Q-Series, the 32-year-old Park was ready to call it a career.
“My husband really, you know, forced me to try to Q‑School,” said Park. “It was tough because 13 years ago it was only five rounds. But it was eight rounds, so it was really tough, but I made it. I had a chance to play this year and then here it is.”
Here it is alright, Park’s first victory on the LPGA in 6 years, 6 months and 26 days. Park defeated fellow South Koreans Hye-Jin Choi and So Yeon Ryu in a four-hole playoff at the ISPS Handa Vic Open to claim her third LPGA title.
Scores: ISPS Handa Vic Open
Min Woo Lee, younger brother of Minjee Lee, claimed the men’s European Tour title. The unique Vic Open features two tournaments running simultaneously on the same course for equal prize money.
“As my first win, it’s pretty sweet,” said 21-year-old Lee. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, but I’ll wake up tomorrow feeling good. Maybe drunk.”
Minjee finished tied for sixth, two shots out of the playoff. A five-time winner on the LPGA, Minjee won the Vic Open both in 2014 and 2018.
“It was pretty special,” said Min Woo of having big sis on property for his breakthrough on the European Tour. “My hair was like a peacock, but yeah, it was pretty cool to see her smile and have my back.”
Park, Choi and Ryu finished regulation play at 8-under 281. Ryu, a former World No. 1, bowed out of the playoff after the second extra hole. Park and Choi birdied the par-5 18th three consecutive times. On the fourth trip down, Choi’s tee shot found the trees and she punched out into a hazard. Park two-putted for par to secure the title.
Ryu pledged to donate half of her winnings from both the ISPS Handa Vic Open and the ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open to brushfire relief efforts in Australia.
“I feel like even though I’m Korean and even though I spent a lot of time in America, I feel like Australia’s like my second home,” Ryu said. “I have a lot of Australian staff; my coach is Australian, my physio’s Australian and I’m surrounded by a lot of Aussies. I came to Australia quite a lot to do winter training since I was 18. I love Australia, you know, food, wine, coffee, but most importantly people are so nice.”
Ryu earned $90,049 for her share of second.
Rookie Leona Maguire, a decorated four-year player at Duke, finished tied for fourth.
After getting married to Joojong Joe, a K-Pop music executive, Park’s game took a nosedive as her priorities started to shift.
“I married and it was really busy (with a) different life,” said Park, who lives in Los Angeles. “I’m married and I have more family now, a housewife and golf and a lot of things going on.”
But thanks to the prodding of Joe, Park signed up for Q-Series, where she finished second, and embarked upon her 13th year on the LPGA. Now she has that “rookie-year feeling” all over again.
“Back to refreshed,” she said.
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