Sung Hyun Park admits she has had a little trouble with early-season play. It wasn’t until the fifth event of the year, the ANA Inspiration, that she logged her first top-20 finish in 2018. In the 2019 season, the current World No. 2 finished T-21 in her first event. But in Singapore at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, Park put an end to what looked like was becoming a trend by shooting a final-round 64 to win by two over Minjee Lee. It’s the sixth LPGA win for the 25-year-old from South Korea.
“I didn’t think I would win this fast and I’m really happy,” said Park. “I used to have a tough beginning in the last years, and this first win so fast, I think I will play really comfortable the rest of my season.”
Park began the final round four shots back of World No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn. But Park started her round with three birdies in a row, setting the tone early. Jutanugarn fell off after making a double at the fourth, ultimately shooting a final-round 75. Park notes her focus as the reason for her win. She said that she held her umbrella low throughout the round not just to protect herself from the sun, but to narrow her field of vision, allowing her to hone in her focus.
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Even after the win her focus remains: “No change on my goals this season,” said Park. “I still have four more wins to go.”
Beyond her ability to stay hyper-focused, Park also gave credit to Tiger Woods for the win at Sentosa Golf Club.
After a successful career on the Korean LPGA Tour, Park joined the LPGA Tour in 2017. Her popularity is obvious by the number of fans who travel from South Korea to watch her play around the world. Her fans call her by a few nicknames, one of which being Tiger — after her idol, Tiger Woods. Both Park and Woods are sponsored by Taylormade and they met for the first time at a Taylormade shoot in February.
“If Tiger is watching this interview,” Park said in her post-win press conference, “then I would want to say that because we met, you gave me such a good energy, that made me win this tournament.”